Parsons, located in Labette County, was named after Judge Levi Parsons, promoter and president of the Missouri, Kansas and Texas Railroad, commonly called the KATY. Parsons was incorporated in 1871 and lies just east of Independence.

Not far from Parsons is "Bender Mounds". The infamous Bender family lived near here in the 1870's. The Benders occasionally invited travelers to their home for dinner. The visitors were then murdered and robbed of their valuables.