Jesse James Birthplace

See where the legend began when you tour the original cabin where Jesse James was born and raised.

Open year round, the museum on ground is home to the world’s largest collection of James family artifacts. In addition to housing three full galleries of artifacts, your trip to the museum includes a quick and informative video recap of the history of Frank and Jesse James and exploits of the outlaws, before walking the trail to the farmhouse.

Jesse James, son of a Baptist minister, was born at the family home in Kearney, Missouri, in 1847. Barely 16, he followed his older brother, Frank, into the Civil War. While Frank was a member of Quantrill’s guerillas, Jesse rode with Bloody Bill Anderson. When the war ended, Jesse returned home and joined other former Confederate guerillas in a life of infamy. Jesse’s boldness and flamboyance as a bank and train robber, combined with sensational publicity from newspapers and dime novels, soon made him a household name.

The museum displays the world’s largest collection of James family artifacts, including Jesse’s boots and Frank’s surrender letter. Follow the paved winding trail to the farmhouse and walk along the creek where, as young boys, Frank and Jesse spent much of their time playing. In the yard of the family home is Jesse’s original burial site, the place where his mother once sold souvenir rocks from his grave for twenty five cents.