Midtown’s South Hyde Park area developed rapidly after 1905, spurred by new city water service and the expansion of streetcar lines to newly built middle-class homes. Today’s focus block, from 42nd to 43rd, from Holmes to Charlotte, is composed of modest homes that still look much like they did when built more than 100 years ago.
As part of our Uncovering History Project, the Midtown KC Post is examining each block in Midtown. A set of 1940 tax assessment photos is available for many blocks.
Most of the buildings on the block were single-family homes, often bungalows. The exception was the luxury apartment building at the corner of 42nd and Holmes.
Not much history has been recorded about this block so far. But looking at the 1940 photos, it is clear that the area was a popular place to raise children.
The photos below show the rest of the homes on the block as they looked in 1940.
Historic photos courtesy Kansas City Public Library/Missouri Valley Special Collections.
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