Missouri has been the scene for many famous shootouts between outlaws and police throughout history. One of most famous criminal gangs found refuge in Missouri for a short time. The time they spent in the Show Me State eventually led to their downfall and their world famous notoriety. Take this Bonnie and Clyde road trip through Missouri for an unforgettable history lesson that won't cost you much more than a tank of gas.
Bonnie and Clyde are one of America's most infamous gang of murders. During the 1930's Bonnie Parker and Clyde Barrow, along with Buck and Blanch Barrow, traveled across the Midwest on an endless crime spree. Some of the gang's most infamous run-ins with the law occurred right here in Missouri.
So, for an epic Bonnie and Clyde experience, take this road trip through Missouri. You'll see the places the gang stayed and the items they left behind during their epic escapes. Start your trip in Joplin to follow in their footsteps.
In March of 1933, Blanch and Buck Barrow joined Bonnie and Clyde in their new hide out located in Joplin. Neighbors began to complain about the loud and intoxicated new residents, although no one had identified them as the Bonnie and Clyde gang.
On April 13th, the police came to investigate. Caught by surprise, the gang shot and killed two police officers and left all their possessions behind during their escape.
Today, the garage apartment is still being lived in and the site is marked with a sign. Find the apartment at 3347 Oak Ridge Dr., Joplin.
The most important item left behind at the apartment was a camera with several rolls of film. The Joplin Globe published the photos found on the film. The famous images were circulated across the nation and led to the groups notoriety.
Today, you can see many of the items left in the Joplin apartment at the Joplin Museum Complex. Visit the museum at 504 S Schifferdecker Ave., Joplin.
The gang continued to run from the law and eventually found their way back to Missouri by July of 1933. The gang checked into the Red Crown Tourist Court and were immediately noticed. Local police arrived the next day with armored cars and machine guns. Once again, they avoided capture once but both Blanche and Buck were badly wounded.
The Red Crown Tourist Court was demolished in 1968 to make way for a new interstate. Today, you can find a marker of the shoot out in the parking lot of WireCo WorldGroup at 12200 N Ambassador Dr., Kansas City.
At the the Federal Reserve Money Museum in Kansas City, visitors can see examples of Tommy Guns used by the police against the Bonnie and Clyde gang. The museum also explains how law enforcement tracked outlaws, like Bonnie and Clyde, in the time before computers.
The Federal Reserve Money Museum can be found at 1 Memorial Dr., Kansas City.
While Bonnie and Clyde were able to evade capture a few more times, gang members Blanche and Buck Barrow were captured in Dexter, Iowa. Buck was already gravely wounded from the shootout at the Red Crown cabin, he died of a combination of his wounds and pneumonia, contracted after surgery, in an Iowa hospital. Blanche was extradited back to Missouri and was tried at Platte County Courthouse for assault.
Blanch was found guilty of assault with intent to commit the murder of Sheriff Holt Coffey. She was sentenced to 10 years in the Missouri State Penitentiary.
History tours and ghost tours of the Missouri State Penitentiary are available to the public during the months of March through November. Special events are hosted throughout the year. End your Bonnie and Clyde road trip in the same location where Blanche Barrow ended her criminal career and visit the Missouri State Penitentiary at 115 Lafayette St., Jefferson City.
Would you take the Bonnie and Clyde road trip? Tell us if you have ever visited any of the sites associated to Bonnie and Clyde in the comments below.
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