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Congressman Sam Graves - Representing the People of Missouri's Sixth District
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The Sixth District
On This Page: History of the Sixth District | Area Attractions | Education


While the Sixth District is diverse in its distance from point to point covering more square miles than five states in the nation, it is unified by the hardworking and caring values of the people that live there.

The Sixth Congressional District in Missouri covers most of northwest and north-central Missouri, stretching from the Nebraska, Iowa, and Kansas borders to North Kansas City and Eastern Jackson County.  The district generally runs north along the Missouri River from the Kansas border to the Cooper County line east of Boonville.  South of the Missouri River, the district also encompasses part of Eastern Jackson County and most of Blue Springs.  The district's eastern edge runs from Cooper County to Schuyler County, encompassing all of Howard, Chariton, Linn, Sullivan, and Mercer Counties.  To see a map of the Sixth Congressional District, please click here.

The Sixth District consists of 26 counties: Andrew, Atchison, Buchanan, Caldwell, Carroll, Chariton, Clay, Clinton, Cooper, Daviess, DeKalb, Gentry, Grundy, Harrison, Holt, Howard, part of Jackson, Linn, Livingston, Mercer, Nodaway, Platte, Putnam, Schuyler, Sullivan, and Worth.

The district is diverse, combining the Kansas City suburbs north of the Missouri River and Eastern Jackson County, with rural, predominantly agricultural parts of north and central Missouri.

History of the Sixth District

The Sixth District is rich in history.  As frontier land, Missouri saw many changes and events during the 19th Century.

Fort Osage was the second outpost in the Louisiana Purchase, and was used by the U.S. Government for 19 years.  The Fort was established to maintain stability in the new frontier.  In 1961, Fort Osage was recognized as a National Historic Landmark.

Since Kansas City was located on the Missouri River, the young town was the starting place for many wagon trains heading to California and Oregon.  Independence was the "jumping off" point for both the Santa Fe and Oregon Trails.  Pioneers would stock up on the necessary supplies before joining a train to head west.  The move to the western frontier began in the 1840s and continued through the rest of the 19th Century.

St. Joseph is best known for the beginning of the Pony Express and the end of Jesse James.  The Pony Express was established in April 1860 to provide the fast delivery of mail between St. Joseph and Sacramento, California.  Riders relayed mail over the 2,000-mile trail with new riders taking over every 75 to 100 miles.  The total time for mail to travel from St. Joseph to Sacramento was usually ten days.  The completion on the telegraph put an end to the Pony Express in October 1861.  The Pony Express Stables in St. Joseph is now a public museum.

The infamous Jesse James met his end in St. Joseph in 1882.  Born in Kearney in Clay County in 1847, Jesse and his brother Frank formed the James Gang with a few other men.  The James Gang traveled throughout the Midwest robbing trains and banks.  In 1882, members of his own gang turned on Jesse and shot him at his home in St. Joseph.  That home now serves as a museum and is open for tours.

Watkins Woolen Mill is a restored 19th century textile mill that still has much of the original machinery intact.  Established by Waltus Watkins in 1861, the Mill grew greatly during the Civil War and added a flourmill, general mill, and employee housing was added.  The Mill is next to Watkins Mill State Park, which also has much to offer, from camping to fishing.

Conception is the home to Conception Abbey, Conception Seminary College, and the Basilica of the Immaculate Conception.  Founded in the early 1870s by Benedictine monks, the monastery was completed in 1881, and the Basilica was finished ten years later.  Conception Abbey is one of only 33 basilicas in the country.  The Benedictine Sisters of Perpetual Adoration is located in nearby Clyde.  Together, these two groups worked to serve the growing community in the late 19th century.

General John J. Pershing, one of the greatest military leaders in American history, grew up in the small town of Laclede.  General Pershing also served as a teacher at the Prairie Mound School before beginning his military career.  Both his childhood home and school exhibit the many accomplishments of this war hero.

Jamesport is Missouri's largest Amish community and offers visitors a view into the past and the Amish way of life.  Amish quilts, foods, and antiques can be found at many of the local stores.

Area Attractions

The range of geography, from river bluffs to open plains, provides the district with many state parks and forests.  Along the Missouri River, one can enjoy the Lewis & Clark State Park and Lake, and Weston Bend State Park.  Pinebreaks State Forest, Big Lake State Park, Pershing State Park, Fountain Grove Wildlife Area, Wallace State Park, Swan Lake Refuge, and Crowder State Park are also beautiful destinations.

Squaw Creek National Wildlife Refuge, located near Mound City, is home to many different animals, including bald eagles which migrate into the Refuge during the late fall and early winter.  Established in 1935, the Refuge covers over 7,000 acres.  Visitors can walk the trails or drive around Squaw Creek to view the wildlife and the beautiful river bluffs.

The Missouri River forms the border for much of the Sixth District.  The "Big Muddy," as it is often referred to, runs a total of 2,341 miles, from Three Forks, Montana to St. Louis where it joins the Mississippi River.  The Missouri River is vital to the Sixth District, serving for recreation purposes, irrigation for farming, and the transportation of goods.  The Missouri River also provides a diverse ecosystem for many plants and animals.

Education

Education is an important part of the entire district.  The area is home to more than 100 school districts, and nine institutions of higher education.

Washington, D.C. Office
1415 Longworth House Office Building
Washington, D.C. 20515
Phone: (202) 225-7041
Fax: (202) 225-8221
Liberty District Office
113 Blue Jay Drive
Suite 100
Liberty, Missouri 64068
Phone: (816) 792-3976
Fax: (816) 792-0694
St. Joseph District Office
201 S. 8th Street
Room 330
St. Joseph, Missouri 64501
Phone: (816) 233-9818
Fax: (816) 233-9848