This town was settled in 1856 and called Centerview. In 1867, John Lawrence laid out plans for another small township around the newly established Kansas City and Cameron Railroad subsidiary of the Hannibal and Saint Joseph Railroad. Charles Kearney was the president of the railroad. As both settlements became more established, they were effectively merged and the town became known as Kearney in 1869. Jesse James was born nearby present-day Kearney at the James Family Farm in 1847. It is a great place to visit and learn more about him and his family. It’s also the home of the world’s largest collection of James family artifacts. He is also buried in the Mount Olivet Cemetery in Kearney. Today Kearney continues to thrive offering much to its residents and visitors alike from an amphitheater, multiple parks, playgrounds, trails, disc golf, a skate park, baseball/softball fields, shelters and a pickleball court. The local farmers market runs each Saturday from May through October. Kearney is located about 30 minutes northeast of downtown Kansas City.