Lamar

Lamar, city, seat of Barton county, southwest Missouri, U.S. It lies on a branch of the Spring River, about 100 miles (160 km) south of Independence. Founded in 1856 and named for Mirabeau B. Lamar, president of the Texas Republic (1838–41), it developed as the centre of a farming community; sorghum, wheat, soybeans, and corn (maize) are the principal crops. Lamar is the birthplace of Harry S. Truman, 33rd president of the United States, and the house has been restored as a state historic site. A memorial was erected in 1975 on the site where Truman made his 1944 vice presidential acceptance speech. Prairie State Park is 16 miles (26 km) west. Inc. 1867. Pop. (2000) 4,425; (2010) 4,532.