Do you know the history of this Southmoreland neighborhood?

The Karnopp Building at 43rd and Main in 1930. Courtesy Kansas City Public Library - Missouri Valley Special Collections.

The Karnopp Building at 43rd and Main in 1930. Courtesy Kansas City Public Library – Missouri Valley Special Collections.

As part of our Uncovering History Project, the Midtown KC Post is taking a look at the 1940 tax assessment photos of each block in Midtown.

Today’s slideshow features residences and apartment buildings in Southmoreland neighborhood, from 43rd Street south to 44th Street, and Main Street east to Walnut Street.

sanborn-map-of-11-257-copyThe Karnopp Building, at 43rd and Main, is among the buildings pictured. The building still stands on the corner. In 1930, it housed Paul. J. Mason’s Drugs (above). Mason owned a chain of 13 stores, which he developed into Crown Drugs. By 1940, the store (as seen in the slideshow) was called Dehoney Drugs, and also sold beer, wine and liquors.  Nature’s Own now occupies the space.

Along Main Street there were still several houses, which have since been replaced by commercial businesses. Along Walnut Street there were also several homes. The Babe Hain’s Service Station stood at the corner of 44th and Main.

The Sanford Fire Insurance map (right) from 1909-1957 shows the same block.

The slideshow at the end of this post shows all of the buildings that existed when the 1940 tax photos were taken.

But we’d like to hear what you remember of this block. We’ll share your history and help to preserve it on our website.

Would you like us to focus on your block next week? Send us an email.

Maps and photos courtesy Kansas City Public Library Missouri Valley Special Collections.

Pre-order our new book, Kansas City’s Historic Midtown Neighborhoods, now. Publication date is March 16. Let us know if you want us to come to your neighborhood association or organization’s meeting to share what we’ve learned about Midtown neighborhood history and tell your members how they can help preserve Midtown history. Order the book 

 

2 Comments

  1. Sandy says:

    I remember in the 50s Dorothea bootery was there. We used to go there to by shoes. She sold good brand shoes like Edwards and brands for children. A little south of there was where the Vanguard coffee house, a lot of famous people played there before the made it big. I grew up near Armour and Broadway so that site was real convenient For our family.

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