Built: 1880

 
This was Jesse James' final home. It was here on April 3, 1882 that Bob Ford shot Jesse in the back of the head as he stood on a chair to straighten a picture on the wall. Jesse had been living in the house with his wife and two small children since late 1881 under the alias Tom Howard.
 
The home was originally located about two blocks from its current location at 1318 Lafayette Street. It was moved to the Belt Highway in 1939 as a tourist attraction. In 1977, it was gifted to the Pony Express Historical Association and returned to its former neighborhood, directly behind the Patee House Museum. The Museum was the World's Hotel when James was killed and his mother, wife and children stayed in the hotel for two nights during the investigation and before the funeral.
 
Today the house hold artifacts belonging to the James family and tells the story of Jesse's life. There is also a room holding items from the 1995 exhumation of Jesse James. There was so much controversy surrounding a legend that Jesse had actually escaped and someone else lay in his grave, that the body was exhumed and DNA tests were run. The results proved that the body in the grave was indeed that of Jesse James.
 
Hours:
Summer Hours: April - October
Monday - Saturday: 10 a.m. till 5 p.m.
Sunday: 1 p.m. till 5 p.m.
Winter Hours: November - March
Open weekends. Weekday hours vary due to weather and volunteer availablity. Call for hours.
 
Admission:
Adults (17 and over): $3
Seniors: $2
Studens (6-17): $1.50
Children 5 and under: FREE with a paid adult

Here are some items that might enhance your visit to this historic site