Architects, developers, dreamers, artists and musicians. All sorts of people have had an impact.
Census records from the 3700 block of Washington Street in the Valentine neighborhood show a pattern repeated across Kansas City. In the early 1900s, the owners shared these large homes with extended family members and servants. But by 1930, almost every family had given up its servants and had taken in one or several lodgers. […]
Valentine Was Home to First Female Livestock Exchange Member Read More »
A Midtown Memorial Day tribute goes to George Sedgewick, a Kansas City pioneer who lived at Armour and Virginia before his 20 acres were platted as Sedgewick Place. Like many pioneers, Sedgewick wasn’t born here but was attracted to the growing railroad hub and potential for Kansas City’s growth. When Sedgewick, born in 1823, was
Pioneer George Sedgewick and his Block of Armour and Virginia Read More »
A recent Google Maps view of the 4300 block of Walnut. One important name stands out in the history of a block of the Southmoreland neighborhood from Warwick Boulevard west to Walnut and from 43rd to 44th, that of architect Albert Turney. Perhaps best known for the design of Kansas City Fire Department Building #2 in 1905, Turney
Architect Saw Value in Southmoreland Read More »
It would be easy to drive past Drexel Hall at the corner of Linwood and Baltimore daily without knowing the layers of history within its walls. Beginning with its unusual beginnings as a spur-of-the-moment purchase by a shrewd businesswoman, to its early days of concerts, dances, and suffrage association meetings, to the fiery union rallies
Drexel Hall Built by Shrewd Businesswoman Read More »
A February 1944 newspaper clipping shows Kansas City Life Insurance Company President Walter Bixby exchanging a $6.5 million check for the Einstein’s Theory of Relativity manuscript. As scientists and science geeks across the world celebrate the centennial anniversary of Albert Einstein’s Theory of Relativity, a Midtown Kansas City company plays an interesting role in the
Kansas City Life’s link to Einstein’s Theory of Relativity Read More »
The 3700 block of Troost and Forest today plays an important role in Kansas City life, as the site of the DeLaSalle Education Center. The same block holds other important history: it was once the home of a man who made his fortune by believing in Kansas City’s future, and later the home of a Catholic
From a Deer Park to A School in Manheim Park Read More »
When the holidays roll around in Kansas City, many people head to Pryde’s in Westport, the “hardware store for cooks.” If they look closely among the spatulas, saucepans, and dish towels, shoppers will notice several framed photos of young women in ballet and other dance costumes. They were all students of Miss Helen Thomes, a
Pryde’s Building Was Miss Thome’s Dance Studio Read More »
The Southwell Building, an art deco masterpiece at 3941 Main and home to Harlings, takes its name from a family that made its mark on Midtown – and across the country. Little remembered today, George Southwell was a composer of band music who played in bandstands in small towns across the country. The Kansas City
Remembering George Southwell of Main Street, the King of Band Music Read More »
As time passes, people in Armour Hills and Mission Hills forget what links them to so many other neighborhoods. “After 110 years of existence, the identity of the Country Club District is starting to fade,” said LaDene Morton. She spoke at the Kansas City library at the Plaza last week about her new book, The Country
Book Details History of Country Club District Read More »
As we reported last week, demolition threatens a row of three iconic apartment buildings at the back of the Bloch Cancer Survivors Park on the Plaza. So we’re looking back at the two blocks around the apartments, from W. 47th to W. 48th Streets, from Roanoke Parkway to Jefferson, to get a sense of their
Apartments Replaced Homes in The Plaza Read More »