In 1920, homes on this block from Westport Road to Archibald between Clark Street (Belleview) and Jefferson went on sale. The block was in a subdivision known as Whitehouse Place, which developers advertised as including 40 homes. In 1930, they were filled with bungalows, Queen Anne’s, and three-story houses. No two were alike, but they […]
Gardeners Once Flocked To A Backyard On This Block Near Westport Read More »
When residents began moving into this Manheim Park block (from Troost to Forest between E. 43rd and E. 44th) in the early 1900s, many were new immigrants to this country. The 1920 census shows people who had recently come from Scotland, England, Germany, Sweden, and Italy settling into homes alongside others born in the United
Manheim Park Block Attracted Immigrants in 1920s Read More »
A fiery explosion that leveled 11 homes and damaged 17 was not enough to drive away residents of the West Plaza neighborhood in 1962. The whole city was shocked by the story that year, with headlines detailing the devastating blast and the lingering impact on the lives of the impacted families. A year later, neighbors
Residents Rebuild in West Plaza After 1962 Gas Main Explosion Read More »
Much of the history we read celebrates outstanding architecture, elite families, and unusual lives. But it is equally interesting to study blocks like this one in West Plaza, between 45th and 46th Street from Fairmount to Wyoming. Perhaps its most unusual event was a gas explosion in 1962 that destroyed eleven houses in the neighborhood (more about
West Plaza Block: Immigrants, Births, Deaths, Weddings, Soldiers Read More »
If location is all-important in real estate, location along two boulevards must be even better. The intersection of Linwood Boulevard and The Paseo (now called Martin Luther King, Jr. Boulevard) historically attracted elite families who moved into substantial homes before the turn of the 20th century. However, the location also made the block a target
Block of Boulevards Shifts from Residential in 1920s Read More »
May 13, 2019 The Kansas City Scottish Rite of Freemasonry Temple is a massive structure that has fascinated those driving along Linwood and the Paseo for years. Last week, the Temple was opened for a public tour to showcase its renovations. The Scottish Rite, the largest branch of Freemasonry, still uses the building for meetings
Newly-renovated Scottish Rite Temple Anchors Historic Linwood and Paseo Block Read More »
In the early 1900s, this block from Brush Creek Boulevard to Cleaver Boulevard between Tracy and Virginia was best known as the home of the original Parkview Pharmacy. Located just east of the popular Electric Park, in those days, the block was a mixture of commercial buildings, apartments (even one designed by Nelle Peters), and
Parkview Drugstores Started on this Manheim Park Block Read More »
Some blocks of Midtown Kansas City were built to house Kansas City elites, and others were created as working-class enclaves. Today’s block, in the Troostwood neighborhood from 49th to 49th Terrace and Tracy to Troostwood, was developed in the early 1920s for middle-class families who wanted a shady neighborhood away from the hustle and bustle of
Troostwood Block Offered Shade, Bungalows, and Two-Car Garages Read More »
A home for orphans that took in hundreds of children between 1880 and 1960 was a well-known part of the Midtown landscape. The St. Joseph Orphan Girls’ home took up the entire block between SouthweTrafficway (then called Summit) and Pennsylvania north of 31st Street (Karnes). Although it was called the Orphan Girls’ Home, the institution did
On the Edge of Midtown, A Home for Orphan Girls Read More »
Isaac Levy and his family were among the earliest residents of this Volker block from 36th to 37th between Genessee and Wyoming. Levy was a pioneer Kansas City butcher and appears to be the first homeowner on the block. This Tuttle & Pike map from 1907 shows the Levy home in blue, just above a street called
Levy Meat Company Family Lived on this Volker Block Read More »