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Jim Bridger statue.

Jim Bridger Statue: Frontier Trails Museum

Field review by the editors.

Independence, Missouri

Sculpted by Tom Beard in 2004, the Jim Bridger statue immortalizes one of the Old West's most famous scouts. Bridger was illiterate, but he told good stories. Some doubted his claims that he discovered Yellowstone and the Great Salt Lake, but there's no question that he did find the pass through the Rockies now used by Interstate 80. He was also infamous, in his younger days, for abandoning fellow mountain man Hugh Glass after Glass had been mauled by a bear. Glass vowed revenge, but for some reason let Bridger live.

The statue stands in front of the National Frontier Trails Museum, which recalls the several key western trails whose departure points were in Independence.

One in ten travelers who set out from Independence died on the trails, and the museum's "Trail Trash" exhibit displays some of the priceless family heirlooms dumped along the way by pioneers desperate to survive.

Also see: Men Vs. Bears

Jim Bridger Statue: Frontier Trails Museum

National Frontier Trails Museum

Address:
318 W. Pacific Ave., Independence, MO
Directions:
Statue stand outside the entrance to the National Frontier Trails Museum. On the north side of W. Pacific Ave., between S. Osage and S. Pleasant Sts.
Hours:
Museum M-Sa 9-4:30, Su 12:30-4:30 (Call to verify) Local health policies may affect hours and access.
Phone:
816-325-7575
Admission:
Statue, free; museum $6.
Save to My Sights

Nearby Offbeat Places

1859 Jail Museum1859 Jail Museum, Independence, MO - < 1 mi.
Swirly Rocket Ship TempleSwirly Rocket Ship Temple, Independence, MO - < 1 mi.
Truman Presidential LibraryTruman Presidential Library, Independence, MO - 1 mi.
In the region:
World's Shortest St. Patrick's Day Parade, Blue Springs, MO - 9 mi.

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