Freedom's Frontier

Built in 1856, the Alexander Majors House is perhaps most famous for Majors’ ventures with the Pony Express and creating a commercial portal for the westward expansion of the United States. Majors also considered himself a foster father to Buffalo Bill Cody and gave him his first job.

The Majors House & Barn are unique Kansas City landmarks literally built on the state line. The house served as the base of operations on the Santa Fe, Oregon, and California Trails for Russell, Majors and Waddell, a pioneer western transportation company. The company held a virtual monopoly over all government supplies freighted west of the Missouri River. In 1860 the men founded and operated the legendary Pony Express.

Today, guided tours take you through the period accurate house, where visitors learn about the personal and professional life of Alexander Majors, westward expansion and freighting, slavery in Missouri, and life on the Missouri-Kansas border.

Ask your guide to show you where you can pose for pictures as you straddle the state line.