Lee’s Summit, the sixth largest city in Missouri, is located primarily in Jackson County, but a portion of the city extends into Cass County. The community was founded by William B. Howard, and named for his wife, Maria D. Strother. Howard moved to the area from Kentucky in 1842, owning 833 acres, and living five miles north of what was later to become the location of the town. In 1862, he was arrested for being a Confederate and, after he was paroled, he moved his family back to Kentucky for the remainder of the war. When the war ended, he returned. Knowing that the Missouri Pacific Railroad was surveying a route in the area, he platted the town with seventy acres in the fall of 1865, naming the town Strother. Shortly afterwards, the town changed its name to Lee’s Summit, for Dr. Pleasant John Graves Lea, who had been killed by Kansas Jayhawkers in 1862, as his murder had taken place near the site of the proposed railroad depot. However, they misspelled the name, and it was incorporated as the Town of Lee’s Summit in 1868. There is a local tradition that the city was named for Confederate General Robert E. Lee. Bob, Cole, Jim, and John Younger, of the James-Younger Gang, were born in Lee’s Summit. The city is situated just off of US Highway 50 and Missouri Highway 291, between Longview Lake County Park, James A. Reed Wildlife Area, and Lake Jacoma. Blue Springs is just over fifteen miles to the northeast, and Independence is about fifteen miles to the north.
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Recommended Resources
Downtown Lee’s Summit is a Main Street program, a sustainable development programs with a focus on the city’s downtown district. Its mission and approach are outlined here, along with a guide to downtown businesses and information about becoming a downtown investor. A calendar of events is included.
http://www.downtownls.org/
Lee’s Summit Chamber of Commerce
Established in 1946, the membership organization is made up of business owners and others in the Lee’s Summit, Missouri region. A profile of the Chamber, member benefits, and a member directory are presented, with a calendar of events and community projects. Business news, promotions, and other resources are included.
http://www.lschamber.com/
Lee’s Summit Economic Development Council
LSEDC is a public-private partnership charged with improving economic conditions for Lee’s Summit, Missouri businesses and residents. A profile of the community is put forward, along with business site location services, business assistance programs, publications, and resources.
http://www.leessummit.org/
Published since 1881, the newspaper in Lee’s Summit, Missouri is one of the community’s oldest businesses, although it was originally known as the Prairie Banner. The online edition of the publication offers news and sports stories, community reports, opinion columns, and area photographs, along with advertising and subscription data.
http://www.lsjournal.com/
The Lee’s Summit, Missouri newspaper reports on news and events in Lee’s Summit and the surrounding region, along with sports stories, opinion columns, council updates, a police blotter, and election data. Its subscription policies are highlighted, and other resources include web design services.
http://www.lstribune.net/
Lee’s Summit, Missouri City Government
The official municipal web site features general information about the city, administrative and departmental contacts, as well as boards and commissioners. Meeting agendas and minutes, budget and finance information, and other public documents are presented, along with a city calendar, maps, and other resources.
http://www.cityofls.net/
The Masonic lodge in Lee’s Summit, Missouri was chartered in 1870. Its history and an outline of Freemasonry is provided, along with membership information, meeting schedules, a calendar of events, and a list of officers and past masters. Members may contribute or pay dues online.
http://www.summitlodge263.org/
