Jesse James Birthplace
Location Information
Date: 14 March 2023 Type: Museum
Location Title: Jesse James Birthplace
City/State: Kearney, Missouri
Investigation Times: 9:00 AM - 11:00 AM
Status: Analysis
Weather Information
Sunrise: 6:47 AM Sunset: 6:13 PM
High Temperature: 43 °F Low Temperature: 31 °F
Sky Condition: Overcast/Drizzle Wind: N at 7 mph
Humidity: 50% Precipitation: 1%
Lunar Phase: Waxing Gibbous % disk visible: 90%
Solar X-Rays: Normal Geomagnetic Field: Storm
Pressure: 29.98 mmHg
Investigators Present
Becky Ray
Julie Klos-Burch
Christina Quentin
Edward Quentin
PHOTOS
Edward, Christina, and Julie at the James Family's log cabin farmhouse where Jesse James was born, built-in 1822.
This is a step in front of the James Home. Until recently, a horseshoe was in the cement, but unfortunately, it was stolen.
Edward, Christina, and Julie at the James Family's log cabin farmhouse where Jesse James was born, built-in 1822.
LOCATION HISTORY
The James log cabin farmhouse, built-in 1822, has witnessed many generations of James family history. It was to this isolated cabin that the Reverend Robert James brought his young wife Zerelda and infant son Frank in 1845. This is where Jesse was born in 1847, and years later, Union soldiers seeking the whereabouts of Frank James beat Jesse and tortured his stepfather Dr. Reuben Samuel by repeatedly hanging him from a tree in the front yard.
In 1875, a Pinkerton bomb killed their half-brother Archie and severed Zerelda's right arm. Zerelda began giving tours of the birthplace after her son, Jesse, died. Frank continued the tradition charging 50 cents for tours. His son, Robert, also gave tours, and after he passed, Jesse's grandsons kept the house open to the public until it was sold to Clay County in 1978.
In 1978, Clay County purchased the farmhouse and 40-acre site from Jesse's grandsons. By the following summer, tourists were passing through the boyhood home of Frank and Jesse James. Today the home is listed on the National Register of Historic Places. The legend continues today from the friendly and knowledgeable staff. The Jesse James Birthplace has welcomed visitors worldwide who come to "Live the Legend and Learn the History" of the two most famous American outlaws – Frank and Jesse.
from https://jessejamesmuseum.org/
Investigator's Notes
Becky, Lead Investigator: