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 Library – Missouri Valley Special Collections.
The land was known earlier as the Roger homestead, a nearly five-acre tract with a big orchard behind it. The 12-room frame home, according to an 1896 Kansas City Star article, was surrounded by a lawn of forest and grass.
However, a group of Kansas City women began working to create an orphanage for young men. They found the perfect location in the old Roger Westport homestead. The same Star article described the community’s need for such an institution.
“A boy whose home is not respectable, or who is not altogether harmless, frequents the streets and places where “toughs” congregate, is easily led to commit petty crime. He serves a term in jail, where his association with criminals encourages him in evil, and when he is released the little fellow is “tougher” than when he was Imprisoned, and thus manhood finds him a first-class criminal. To keep children of this class from the streets, to raise them under Christian influences and to teach them to earn an honest living is the object for which the charitable and public spirited women banded themselves together and purchased the home in Westport.”
One of the women leading the charge was Mrs. John Perry. Once the women had bought the home, she served as the director. “
“The sisters of the order of Vincent de St. Paul care for the children and Sister Mary Joseph is in control. It is not a reformatory but a home and a school. It is the plan of the good women who founded the home that when its boys had finished the course of school studies they would be taught useful trades and not be thrown upon their own resources until they were fully prepared to earn a livelihood,” the Star explained.
In a tragic twist to the story, Mrs. Perry and her four children, Florence, Sadie, Katherine, and Albert Perry, died in 1898 when the French transatlantic steamer La Bourgogne sank in the ocean. Her husband, John Perry, general manager of the Central Coal and Coke company, gave $25,000 to the Orphan Boy’s home in honor of his family. The old home was replaced with a new structure, which stood until the 1960s, which included dormitories for the boys, classrooms, reception rooms, and rooms for the sisters.
I lived in the 5th house North from Westport Road on that Alley by the Apple Orchard. On the West Side of the Street which was named (4216) Wiedenmann Place. I used to play in the trees in front of that Gorgeous Victorian style house on the Southwest Corner of the block and we’d watch cars on Westport Road drive under us while we sat above them in the trees! Eric and Annie lived there in the mid 1960’s and their dad used to collect and display butterflies! Mr. Rodemaker lived across the street from us. Mr. Edward J and Mrs. Dorthea Clamp lived in the red brick house and Mr. and Mrs. Rydings were our landlords next door. Thanks for sharing the memories!!!
Hi Joyce,
I went to Guardian Angel and Lillis High School with Richard and Jack Radamacher, they were really nice guys.
My grandfather Lawrence Duffy was put in the Orphan Boys home at age 14, after his aunt convinced his widowed mom she didn’t have the money to take care of him and her other children. My grandpa was not in the least bit happy about this decision, so one night, soon after moving into the orphanage, he and another kid climbed out the windows and took off running, Grandpa back home to his mom and the other kid I’m not so sure about. On the other side of my family, my Uncle Dave Wheeler used to coach the Orphanage’s baseball team in the 1930s.
Hi Kate,
I was one of the boys that was coached by Dave Wheeler but it was in the 1940’s actually 1947. Dave was a great guy and helped us a lot. He coached us to the city championship. I remember him taking us to his home once around 47th and Paseo just behind Paseo High school. The house was beautiful and really really big.
Dave was a really good example for all of us. I think he had crush on me sister who came to some of our games. The semi pro team in Kansas City at the time was the Kansas City Blues and Dave knew some of those players and had them come out and practice with our team. Our team was sponsored by Byram Harrington motors. We were called the Byram Harrington Blues and had the exact same uniforms as the Kansas City Blues.
We all really cared a lot for Dave, he had a really positive influence on all of us boys.. We were lucky to have him as our coach. I have a picture of our entire team including Dave with the boys home in the background. If you get this information and would like a copy of the picture please let me know and I will email it to you.
Whatever happened to Dave?
Richard Johnson
417-887-8821
maxcardbarter@gmail.com
My grandparents, John & Fanny (Krenn) Geier, worked at the orphanage. My parents, John & Josephine (Geier) Grauberger lived in the area, growing up and when first married, on Madison and Weideman Place. They were married at Guardian Angels church. My mother went to Sacred Heart School and also Guardian Angels. I was raised Catholic by Urseline nuns at St. Agnes but I remember as a child seeing the nuns from the orphanage come to visit my grandparents. I was fascinated by their nun habit with the big head cover that looked like they would blow away. They were so nice and kind and they were wonderful to my grandparents. I would love to know some of their names. I’m wondering if the nuns were relocated when the orphanage closed because I have some holy cards from who I think might be some of them. I think some of my grandparents relatives also lived in the area. Anyone that has any information or would like to “compare notes” can email me at carolb0713@gmail.com.
Oh, it was all so long ago, but the memories and the memories passed down should all be preserved and shared with our future generations. It’s where we came from, who we are. One small thread can lead us to so much information. I just hope and pray that whatever I am able to discover and pass on will continue to be added to by my future generations.
Hi Carol,
Do you remember what years your relatives worked at the orphanage? I also went to Guardian Angel school, what years did your mother attend there?
Carol,
Here are the names of the nuns that were at the Boys home in 1940.
Sister Berigna 67 years old
Sister Cornelia 51 years old
Sister Bernice 48 years old
Sister Christine 38 years old
Sister Julia 33 years old
Sister Jamelite 42 yearsold
Sister Louise 25 years old
I believe my father spent time in the Kansas City Orphan Boys home in the 1920’s or 1930’s. I would like to find out who might be able to tell me where to go to obtain this information. His name is Donald Edward Bowman and he was born in 1920. He died when I was 16 and my mothere died when I was 19.
JoAnn:
I don’t know if the records still exist. Perhaps someone else knows and will respond.
Mary Jo
JoAnn,
Here’s a link to Ancestry to the 1940 census that shows your father at the Kansas City Boy’s Orphan Home along with names of other boys there at that time.
Here’s the link
http://search.ancestry.com/cgi-bin/sse.dll?db=1930usfedcen&indiv=try&h=7508485
Thank you so much! I created an account and found the census information. I also found a picture of the orphan home. JoAnn Bowman
That’s great JoAnn. I hope you can find more interesting information. I was there myself in 1946 for a couple of years.
Richard Johnson.
I would like to know if there is a registry for boys who lived there. I am searching for a David Lee Childers that may have lived there from around 1958-1962. Any help would be greatly appreciated.
My name is Javier Geronimo, but was known at the time as Xavier. I too lived at the orphanage during the years as David Lee Childres. Unfortunately I don’t remember the name. I do remember mostly some of the Sisters and staff. The orphanage became coed in the late 50’s. The girls had moved from the orphanage where the BMA Tower was built.
The Westport orphanage, known as St. Pius X, was closed at the end of the 1960-1961 school year. The orphanage was temporarily located to Liberty while the new orphanage, Marillac, was being built in South Kansas City. The Marillac campus is now part of Avila College, I believe.
My father and his siblings were at the home in the late 1800’s to early 1900. At one time the boys tried to run away but were taken back. Some children were adopted, but dad was suposedly adopted by a widow lady that he said worked him nearto death on her farm, and by someone who took him and decided to take him back. A younger sister who was very pretty was taken by someone who dressed her in pretty clothes and sent her out to sing and dance on the streets, for money. Eventually all the siblings were able to reunite except for the baby. His name was James Emile Seynhaeve and he was adopted. The nuns told dad that he would recognize the new name if he heard it, but they wouldn’t tell dad who it was. My dad and his siblings spent years trying to find James, and here I am, 79 years old and the last of that family and I am still trying to learn about James. There are records if you can get Catholic Charities to let you see them. When I first contacted CC, I was told there were no records, but then I contacted the archivist and that sweet Father released the page that I was looking for, to be copied and sent to me. I would love to be able to learn the adoptive parents of James! At present , I don’thave the information of who I contacted with me, but it is in my records. I have one photo of my dad with his communion class. He was only able to get a 6th grade education. If I can help anyone with what little I have, I would be happy too.
I lived in a Catholic Orphanage in Kansas City from 1945 – 49. Not sure of the name but I seem to remember it as St Joesph’s and that it was near Swope Park. I would be grateful for any information that is given
My sister in law was adopted. When we finally found her birth parents we discovered her father, David Lee Melton was also adopted.
He was adopted from somewhere in Kansas City around 1948-50. We have slowly found information about his birth parents but we have not found the adoption agency. Does this name sound familiar to you? Thank you, sincerely. Laura WL
The only St. Joseph home that I remember was a girls home located at 31st & Southwest Trafficway. Never heard about any place near Swope Parkway. The only other I remember is the Boys Home on Westport Rd.
My father, James Louis Rowland, lived at this Boy’s Home in the 30’s. He died when he was 36, so I never got to ask him about it. My Mother told me he was in Boy’s Town in Omaha, But Ancestry had him placed there and there was a whole list of kids and adults names.
Hi Jennifer, I am helping my sister in law and her newly found stepsisters. They are searching for information about their deceased father who was in an orphanage in KC for a while. Not sure of the year(s). Could you share the list of boys or please tell me how to get them? Thanks so much for your information! This may not be where he was but every piece of information can lead to answers about loved ones. Sincerely, Laura Lewis
What was the fathers’ name? I may be able to help.
Hi Richard, my dad was born July,1930 and isn’t sure if he was put in St Vincent’s from birth or as a very young child. The name on his birth certificate was Ronald Actman but he was given the additional name of Steve (maybe from St. Stephen) and went by this name. I wonder if there is any way he can find out when and why he was brought there? He is 90 now and has always wondered, we thought perhaps there are some records. Thank you!
Hi Laura, I am not sure if I replied to you, sorry. I got the list of boys from a 1940 census on ancestry. I didn’t even know he was there. Found his Mom (my Grandmom) on a state hospital census at the same time as she was mentally ill. Good luck! Jennifer
Hi all,
I was wondering if anyone remembers my Uncles or my Aunt that were placed in an orphanage in the late thirties or so. My Grandmother, Mary Ann (nicknamed Mabel) Grundon Markley Jones attended all of her schooling at Guardian Angels. She married James Richard Markley and he passed away at a young age. They had Patricia Grundon Schleicher, James Richard Markley (Jim), Jack Markley and Joseph (Joe) Markley. When their Father passed, they were placed in the care of an orphanage temporarily while my Grandmother Mabel re-married and was going through a lot of hardship and difficulty being a young Mother and widow. I am thankful for any information someone may have. They are all deceased now. But their strength is etched on my heart forever. My Grandmother was born on Rainbow in 1911 in a home that was torn down a few years ago and was next to a vacant lot/small orchard. Fairly close to CVS but across the street south. They also attended Holy Name after she was married and her children attended school at Holy Name.
I am trying so hard to find out in my dad was in this home in 1910, does anyone know how I can do this? Im running out of options… Is there a list of the children’s names somewhere? Please help
What was his name and year of birth and his parents names. I was in the home in 1946 and have had luck in finding some records.
Did you look at the 1910 Census on Ancestry.com? You can normally access a free version of Ancestry.com through your local public library. My grandfather and great-uncle are listed as living there in the 1910 Census. Pretty amazing that your dad and my grandpa and great-uncle may have known each other!
What was his name and year of birth and his parent’s names. I was in the home in 1946 and have had luck in finding some records.
I am trying to find out if my grandfather was in this home between 1910 and 1920. Are there any records?
Please help
I lived at the orphanage from 1955-1960 when, it closed. We then moved temporarily to Liberty (the Burn’s house) while Marillac school was being built in south Kansas City. We moved in to Marillac in 1962. I then went on to Fr. Flanagan’s Boys Town in 1963.
Instead of going to the in-house school at the orphanage, I was sent to Guardian Angels for 1st, 2nd and 3rd grades. Fr. Hart was one of the priests there.
At the orphanage, Sr. Anne was the Mother Superior. Other sisters I remember were Sisters Olivia and Mary Alice. Also, Msgr. Thomas Obrien was the head priest.
Unfortunately, I have very few pictures of my time time there. I do remember every year they had a Western-style barbque.
While at Marillac, I went to Christ King for my 5th grade.
If your Dad was on the census in 1900;s, he will be listed Pam.
My father, Gerald D. Ascue, and his brother, Thomas Ascue, stayed in an orphanage in Kansas City in the early 1950s. Can anyone tell me what orphanages existed in Kansas City then, and where I might locate records for my father?
My older brother Joe and I lived at St. Pius X from 1948- August 1952. My favorite Sister of Charity, Sister Olivia and Sister Kristine, were fantastic!
It was an era that I will never forget.
Pingback: On the Edge of Midtown, A Home for Orphan Girls - Uncovering History Project
My brother and my self were there in or around1944 or 45 for a couple of years, I remember a long dorm with allot of beds, and praying now i lay me down to sleep ,and the nuns w/their big white head gear, some days were good others not so much,,, I was 4 or 5 then lil bro 3 1/2,, was glad to go home when our mom was on her feet again,,,long time ago…….
my brothers arrived there in 1946 after our mom died. And I was at the St.Josephs girls home the same year. I have good memories of that place. Maybe others not! My brother was a left handed pitcher for the home. year unknown…my other brother was also on the team and I think he played 2nd or 3rd base. They won the KC Championship that year!