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 »
The West Plaza neighborhood is one of Midtown’s historic areas where working-class families owned and rented homes in these photos. This block of Belleview and Jarboe between 45th and 46th is a great example. Residents in these 1940s photos included streetcar and meatpacking workers, a movie theater projectionist, and the owner of a watch repair business.
Small Bungalows Lined Belleview, Jarboe in 1940 Read More »
A 1930s snapshot of one Midtown block highlights its transformation from a neighborhood of working-class families to a commercial corridor along a major traffic route. Although those photos are NOT available for this block, other historical records offer a glimpse of how the block has changed from the 1930s to today. A 1909-1950 Sanburn map of
Southwest Trafficway Used to Be Summit Street Read More »
In the 1930s and 40s, this West Plaza neighborhood block had a corner grocery store and was home to young working-class families who moved in and out. A reader turned our attention to the block bounded by Mercier and Holly between 47th and 48th Streets, where, she wrote, she had heard a respected sculptor had once
A Corner Store Served the Neighbourhood Read More »
Working-class families from Sweden, Missouri, and Kansas lived on this West Plaza block in 1940. Residents had a variety of jobs: salesman, flour mill hand, marble cutter, machinist in a canning factory, upholsterer, piano tuner, landscaper, bookkeeper, radio serviceman, railroad freight clerk, and barber. The area developed around 1907 when newspaper ads hawked lots in
Swedish Families Settled in West Plaza Read More »
Today, we look at residences and businesses in the West Plaza neighborhood, from 45th Street south to 46th Street, from Bell to State Line. The block included several businesses, including Phillips Market and Wright’s Lunch on 45th, and several small residences. Photos courtesy Kansas City Public Library, Missouri Valley Special Collections.
Midtown Once Had Many Corner Stores Read More »