Architects, developers, dreamers, artists and musicians. All sorts of people have had an impact.
The Rockhill neighborhood is known for its significant historic homes, which are built on spacious lots and are close to the Nelson-Atkins Museum of Art, the Art Institute, and UMKC. Once renowned for its stone walls and crimson rambler roses, Rockhill began when William Rockhill Nelson built his mansion, Oak Hall, in the south part of […]
The Neighborhood Around the Nelson-Atkins Museum Read More »
Today, we look at some homes in Westwood Park, a Kansas City neighborhood just across the state line from Westwood, Kansas. Developed beginning in 1913, J.C. Nichols stepped in in 1921 to help sell lots and boasted he sold 25 percent of the home sites in the first week. This Sanborn Fire Insurance map (above)
J.C. Nichols Helped Sell Westwood Park Read More »
Today, we look at residences, businesses, and apartment buildings in the Volker neighborhood, from 38th Street south to 39th Street and State Line Road east to Bell Street. Johnson Hardware, at 1800 West 39th, and Rainbow Grocery Company, at 1802 West 39th, are among the buildings pictured. But we would like your help. Do you remember this block in 1940 or in the years since? What special memories do you
West 39th Street Business Served Volker Neighborhood Read More »
William Rockhill Nelson is best remembered as the founder of the Kansas City Star, but Nelson once said he enjoyed nothing more than building houses. Nelson the journalist was also an avid real estate developer and planner. He was among the first of the Kansas City elite to move south – helping start the movement
Nelson’s Country Mansion Became Site of Nelson-Atkins Museum Read More »
This week, a delegation from China will tour Midtown sites in the Volker, Valentine, and Hyde Park neighborhoods. This is all part of an ongoing relationship between China and Kansas City created by journalist Edgar Snow. The Chinese dignitaries will be in Kansas City for the annual Edgar Snow Symposium. Kansas Citians Mary Clark and E.
Edgar Snow’s Midtown Roots Form Lifelong Kansas City-Chinese Bond Read More »
The Orphan Boy’s home in the 1960s. Before the current shopping center was built in the 1960s, the corner of Westport Road and 43rd Street was home to the Kansas City Orphan Boys Home. An old map shows the Orphan Boy’s home between Westport Road, Southwest Trafficway, and 43rd Streets. Image courtesy Kansas City Public
Early Orphan Boys Home Story Has a Tragic Twist Read More »
The Ambassador Hotel was designed by Nelle Peters. Photo courtesy Missouri Valley Special Collections, Kansas City Public Library, Kansas City, Missouri. This week in history is an excellent time to look back at the architecture of Nelle Peters, a prolific Kansas City architect who did much to shape the way Midtown looks today. Peters designed almost 1000
Architect Nelle Peters Left her Mark on Midtown Read More »
Midtown’s role in Charlie Parker’s life was a missed note until a new biography recorded it. Parker biographer Chuck Haddix. Chuck Haddix, director of the Marr Sound Archives at UMKC, put it in his book, Bird, the Life and Times of Charlie Parker. It turns out that Parker lived in two Midtown apartments as a
Charlie Parker’s Midtown Roots Read More »
Glenn Stewart asked the Westport Post Office staff if she could start a small garden in front of the building a few years ago because she lived in an apartment and missed digging in the dirt. Each year, her “Magic Garden” expands to offer fresh herbs to neighbors and bring a smile to those who
“Miss Glenn’s Magic Garden” Offers Up Fresh Herbs at Westport Post Office 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 »