city, seat (1870) of Montgomery county, southeastern Kansas, U.S. Independence lies on the Verdigris River, near Elk City Lake (dammed for flood control and irrigation). It was founded in 1869 by a company that purchased a portion of an Osage Indian reservation. The town had temporary economic booms with the discoveries of natural gas in 1881 and oil fields in 1903. Independence is now a trade and processing centre for agricultural products (wheat and beef and dairy cattle) and for the production of oil and natural gas. Cement, boats, machinery, and electronic equipment are manufactured. Independence Community College was established in 1925. Nearby is Montgomery State Fishing Lake and Elk City State Park. The official Little House on the Prairie historic site, a small log cabin reconstructed on the foundation of the original house to resemble that found in Laura Ingalls Wilder (Wilder, Laura Ingalls)'s famous book, is located 13 miles (21 km) southwest of the city. Former Independence residents include Alfred M. Landon (Landon, Alf), U.S. presidential candidate in 1936, and playwright William Inge (Inge, William). Inc. 1870. Pop. (1990) 9,942; (2000) 9,846.

Higher-education opportunities are found at the Independence campuses of Graceland University, Park University, and Blue River Community College, as well as at several vocational and technical schools. The Harry S. Truman Library and Museum (1957), housing the former president's private papers and mementos, has a Thomas Hart Benton mural, Independence and the Opening of the West; Truman's grave is in the courtyard. His mid-19th-century Victorian home and his courtroom and office are preserved. The Auditorium in Independence (completed 1962) is the centrepiece of the world headquarters of the Community of Christ (formerly the Reorganized Church of Jesus Christ of Latter Day Saints). Exhibits at the National Frontier Trails Center chronicle western migration. The city's economy relies primarily on services and retail trade. Inc. 1849. Pop. (2000) 113,288; (2005 est.) 110,208.