Midtown Changed by Automobiles

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by

midtownkcposter

in Bungalows, Commercial districts/areas, Midtown Neighborhoods, South Hyde Park, Streets, Troost

11-267-10 — The McClure-Norrington Chevy dealership stood at 4524 Troost in this 1940 photo.

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.

Today, we look at residences and businesses in the South Hyde Park neighborhood, from 45^th Street south to Brush Creek, from Gillham/Harrison to Troost.

As you can see from the photos below and in this Sanborn Fire Insurance Map, Troost Avenue was dominated by auto-related businesses in 1940. The block included the Fire Department Hose Company 31 and Fire Engine Company 11.

Along Gillham were rows of small bungalows that make up much of South Hyde Park’s internal streets.

Photos courtesy Kansas City Public Library, Missouri Valley Special Collections.

South Hyde Park Troost Avenue

Comments

One response to “Midtown Changed by Automobiles”

Lisa Madden

January 20, 2015

I lived with my parents at 4501 Gillham Road from by birth, January 1964 until sometime in 1970. I recall that home being divided into three apartments. We lived on one floor at the time of my birth, I believe the third floor and then a few years later, we moved to the second floor.
Good times.

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