Kansas City is full of history. Travel back in time with these 13 unique stories

Kansas City Star
·3 min read

Kansas City’s heritage includes numerous historical trails and sites scattered throughout the region, many of which are being commemorated or restored. Other landmarks have been lost, but their stories remain.

The summary above was drafted with the help of AI tools and edited by journalists at The Star. All stories below were reported, written and edited by Star journalists earlier in 2024.

The front wheels, axle and shaft of the Conestoga-style wagon that once sat outside of the Old Westport Shopping Center, at Westport Road and Southwest Trafficway, are now on display on the grounds of the Harris-Kearney Historical House Museum.
The front wheels, axle and shaft of the Conestoga-style wagon that once sat outside of the Old Westport Shopping Center, at Westport Road and Southwest Trafficway, are now on display on the grounds of the Harris-Kearney Historical House Museum.

No. 1: Moved to new home, Westport covered wagon discovered to be older than anyone imagined

The historic Conestoga-style wagon that for 61 years was a fixture at the Old Westport Shopping Center, before its deteriorating wood body was hauled away earlier this year and replaced, has been discovered to be older than anyone imagined. | Read Full Story by Eric Adler

No. 2: ‘History wasn’t in black and white.’ Here’s how Shawnee Town ‘changed’ its history

Museum staff researched how each building should be built, how it would be used interpretively, what stories could be told, and what artifacts should be present in it to make an authentic experience. | Read Full Story by Debra Skodack

George Pettigrew, left, and Brigadier General Bryan Wampler have teamed up together on the Frontier Museum of the U.S. Army Foundation with plans to open a world-class museum by 2027 on the grounds of Fort Leavenworth.
George Pettigrew, left, and Brigadier General Bryan Wampler have teamed up together on the Frontier Museum of the U.S. Army Foundation with plans to open a world-class museum by 2027 on the grounds of Fort Leavenworth.

No. 3: Veterans lead charge for new museum focused on Fort Leavenworth’s role in US history

Fort Leavenworth is almost 200 years old. Plans are in the works for a new, world-class museum that would show the role the fort has had in shaping the United States. | Read Full Story by Randy Mason and Monty Davis

No. 4: For 6 decades, a covered wagon stood at this Kansas City corner. It’s getting replaced

The Conestoga-type wagon is said to be from the 1860s. “It’s in bad shape. It’s falling down.” | Read Full Story by Eric Adler

The Scout statue, created by artist Cyrus E. Dallin, looks out over downtown from Penn Valley Park.
The Scout statue, created by artist Cyrus E. Dallin, looks out over downtown from Penn Valley Park.

No. 5: The Chiefs offend some Native Americans. Here’s why this KC icon is a different story

This symbol of Kansas City has a fascinating and surprising history. | Read Full Story by Vahe Gregorian

No. 6: Santa Fe Trail left its mark in Kansas City area. It’s been a journey to preserve it

“We didn’t realize at that point what was there. … We should have known better.” | Read Full Story by Dan Kelly

No. 7: How a ‘border ruffian’ who supported slavery got a monument honoring him in a KC park

A reader asked about the history behind a memorial to Charles Carroll Spalding in Penn Valley Park. We unearthed the complicated story behind Kansas City’s first historian. | Read Full Story by Michael Wells

Main Street in Smithville, Missouri, in 1909 looked like like hundreds of small towns across America—thanks to a “Yankee” named Smith who built a mill on the Little Platte River in 1824. After years of flooding, that river was dammed up in the 1970s to create Smithville Lake.
Main Street in Smithville, Missouri, in 1909 looked like like hundreds of small towns across America—thanks to a “Yankee” named Smith who built a mill on the Little Platte River in 1824. After years of flooding, that river was dammed up in the 1970s to create Smithville Lake.

No. 8: How did this Missouri town’s flooded Main Street help lead to a popular recreation area?

This Missouri town required a big solution to keep its Main Street from constantly flooding. | Read Full Story by Randy Mason and Monty Davis

No. 9: From Coco Key to Mattel Adventure Park: Do you remember these Kansas City theme parks?

With two new attractions on the way to Kansas City, Kansas, in the next couple of years, we took a look back at the metro’s amusement park history. Which one was your favorite? | Read Full Story by Joseph Hernandez

No. 10: A meeting at this Independence church may have had a role in shaping world history

Harry Truman met someone at this church who later was a big influence in his life. | Read Full Story by Randy Mason and Monty Davis

No. 11: Unearth the history of Kansas City’s lost Black neighborhood, demolished for city park

Belvidere Hollow was a vibrant Black neighborhood in Kansas City, but by 1958 it ceased to exist entirely. | Read Full Story by Sarah Biegelsen

No. 12: From labor strikes to demolition, here’s the history of Kansas City’s Buck O’Neil Bridge

A reader asked What’s Your KCQ? about the iconic three-arch structure currently being demolished over the Missouri River. | Read Full Story by Michael Wells

No. 13: ‘Iconic but overlooked.’ Could KC’s Paseo Stairs, a favorite of runners, be improved?

For decades, the Paseo Stairs have been a local destination for walkers and runners. Here’s how one Kansas Citian’s love-hate relationship with the steps has led to an effort to improve them.| Read Full Story by J.M. Banks

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