Virtual Roadtrip: The Vaile Victorian Mansion

Once the Most Comfortable Home in the West

Time for stop #5 on our Virtual Road Trip! The Vaile Victorian Mansion, located in Independence, Missouri, is the former home of Harvey and Sofia Vaile. Harvey arrived in Independence in 1870, started construction on the mansion in 1871, and it was completed in 1881 at a cost of $150,000. By the mid-1800’s Independence had become the most popular “jumping off” point for pioneers to stock their wagons and prepare for their trip West on the Oregon Trail. Before you take your tour, walk behind the mansion to see the ruts the wagons left behind as they were beginning their 2,170-mile trip!

Today you can tour the 31-room mansion, which has been restored and decorated in its original 1881 style. The one-hour tour covers the first two floors and provides a glimpse into the lives of the owners and their family. A few interesting things to look out for while on tour are the 9 original marble fireplaces and two chandeliers that were originally intended for the White House. This was also the first house in Independence with indoor plumbing and flushing toilets. The Victorian mansion is an architectural masterpiece and well-maintained by the Vaile Victorian Society.

Tour Tip: If you like haunted houses or a good ghost story, the Vaile Mansion might still have a few permanent residents, according to ghost hunters. Both of the owners passed away in the house and the home was converted into a Sanitorium in the 1908. Take a few pictures on your tour, maybe you will capture something (or someone) in a photo!

Following the Connection

Colonel Harvey Vaile was originally from Vermont. He traveled to Kansas City before settling in Independence. Vaile, an entrepreneur and investor, profited handsomely from the construction of the Erie Canal. The importance of the Erie Canal has declined over the years, but it was an amazing accomplishment connecting Albany and Buffalo, New York.

Next Stop: Erie Canal Museum, Syracuse, New York

Detour: Visit the National Frontier Trails Museum if you want to learn more about the pioneers that had the courage to head west on the Oregon, Santa Fe, and California Trails with minimal supplies and many unknowns ahead of them. Fast forward a few decades and learn how the trails impacted the U.S. Mail Service, U.S. Rail Service, and eventually the U.S Highway System.

Plan Your Trip

Independence, Missouri, is associated with the 33rd President of the United States, Harry S. Truman. Start your day early and see all the major attractions. Take a break from exploring and venture downtown for lunch or dinner. You are just a short distance from Kansas City, which makes Independence a great day trip destination as well.

Photo: Courtesy of the Vaile Victorian Society