As Midtown grew, its streets and boulevards bloomed with homes and businesses, connecting us to other neighborhoods and other parts of the city.
When Kansas City pioneer Webster Withers moved his family to this block in 1883, he said he’d decided to move to “the country.” He built his mansion on forty acres of ground on a spot few would recognize today – 31st Street and Troost Avenue. “We were tired of town life,” Withers’ wife told the Kansas […]
Midtown Millionaire’s Row at 31st and Troost Read More »
This block of row houses is a one-of-a-kind in Midtown. There are several reasons for that. First, it predates much of the architecture in this part of the city, built in the early days of the southward development. And its style – Queen Anne with some Eastlake elements – is also uncommon in Midtown. The
Row Houses Are Unique Midtown Architecture Read More »
Today, this peaceful, tree-lined street doesn’t look much like it did when this scene was created around the turn of the 20th century. But it was one of the most celebrated streets in town, proudly featured in numerous postcards showing Kansas City’s new boulevard system. The street is Armour Boulevard, back before it became a
The Armour Family’s Short Stay on Armour Boulevard Read More »
The address the Kansas City Star called “the most conspicuous building on the skyline” in 1914 doesn’t stand out that much today. But the St. Regis Hotel, which has stood solidly at the northeast corner of Linwood and The Paseo for 100 years, was once the tallest building outside of downtown and one of the
One of Kansas City’s Tallest Buildings in 1914 Read More »
Many Midtowners drive past a building at 31st and Gillham without realizing it was once heralded as the “dairy of tomorrow.” The Aines Farm Dairy Building at 3110-30 Gillham is on the National Register of Historic Places. It was once where pasteurized milk, ice cream, butter, cottage cheese, and condensed milk were produced for Kansas
Gillham Building Produced 100,000 Gallons of Milk a Day Read More »
It’s a slow news day, so we thought it was an excellent opportunity to check out some Kansas City history through the Kansas City Public Library’s collection of historic photos. Here’s one of the Armour Boulevard and Troost Avenue intersection showing the Armour Hotel, Advanced Launderers and Cleaners, and Crown Drugstore.
Back in Time: Armour and Troost Read More »
By Joe Lambe On Thanksgiving day in 1927, a huge ballroom that opened in Midtown marked a high point in the jazz age in a city known for jazz, booze and overall sin. The Kansas City Public Library on its web site this week tells the story of the Pla-Mor Ballroom that was at 3142
Fab Ballroom a Part of Midtown’s Rich Past Read More »
Republished from the Feb. 2013 Hyde Parker newsletter The large home at 301 East Armour Boulevard was demolished in 1967, but the legacy of the Lillis family who lived there remains an important part of Kansas City history. Irish immigrant and homeowner James Lillis built the first streetcars in Kansas City as a railroad contractor,
Lillis Family Legacy on Armour Boulevard Read More »