Blue Springs

Saint Joseph Missouri also known as St. Joe is the county seat of Buchanan County and is rated the eighth in the state in size. Joseph Robindoux a local fur trader is the man responsible for the creation of the city now known as Saint Joseph. Robindoux was one of the many trappers and hunters who traveled westward paving the way for the settlers who would follow behind with their families searching for a place to colonize. The town was formally incorporated in 1843. Saint Joseph sets on the border between Missouri and Kansas and is approximately 30 miles south of Kansas City and its closest airport is the Kansas City International Airport. The Pony Express was created in 1860 by William Russell for the sole purpose of delivering mail. He attempted to have enough riders to cover approximately 150 posts with around 15 miles between each post, however if there was no rider at the next stop the original rider was required to switch horses and continue riding to the next stop. This service however failed when Samuel F. B. Morse invented the telegraph in the 1830's. The Pony Express serviced Saint Joseph with it being a beginning and an ending place for their riders. On October 26, 1861, the Pony Express shut down. While Jessie James was living in Saint Joseph, he was killed at home on April 3, 1882. At the time, he was living under the name of Howard. The Heaton-Bowman-Smith Funeral Home of Jesse James preserves a small but informative museum. The previous owners took care of his funeral. The original house was located on Lafayette but has since been moved several times, but has preserved along with the bullet hole that occurred at the time of his death. Saint Joseph had adopted the slogan "Where the Pony Express started and Jesse James ended."