Northeast News
May 8, 2014

INDEPENDENCE, Missouri – Jackson County is the recipient of the 2014 Hickman Preservation Award for the restoration of the Historic Truman Courthouse, 415 E. 12th St.

The award for Outstanding Building Restoration comes from the Independence Heritage Commission. Named after local historian William Zere Hickman, the award recognizes preservation efforts by individuals and organizations. County executive Mike Sanders accepted the award at the most recent Independence City Council meeting.

The Independence Heritage Commission is a nine-member body appointed by the Independence City Council to oversee the preservation, protection, and enhancement of the city’s historic resources. In September 2013, Jackson County re-dedicated the courthouse, 80 years after then presiding Jackson County Judge Harry S. Truman renovated the same building. The courthouse underwent $5.6 million in interior renovations in 2013, restoring it to the integrity of its 1933 design.

Mike Calvert, chairman of the historic preservation commission, said in a press release the courthouse restoration project filled him with a sense of pride.

“In a day and age when so many look at old structures and only see something to remove, Mike Sanders and the Jackson County Legislature took the path to restore what I, and many, see as the crown jewel in the historic fabric of our county,” Calvert said.