Kansas City 101

February 20, 2025

For our several dozen members heading to KC in April, our host Lenet Compton has prepared a short tutorial on her beloved city. It will make you feel like a weekend is not enough time!

Note: click here to download a PDF outlining all the weekend activities, links, RSVP requirements and more.

When thinking about Kansas City one must realize there is a Kansas City, Kansas (KCK) and a Kansas City, Missouri (KCMO). Typically though when saying “Kansas City” people are referring to the metropolitan area collectively. The Heart of America! Yet there are many stark difference culturally, economically, politically and ethnically. So here is a short primer on the metro and areas up to 50 miles radius.

The State of Kansas owes its name to the Kanza Nation. Sometimes referred to as The Kaw. Other prominent Nations in Kansas are the Shawnee, Osage, Pawnee and Wyandot (at one time Kansas City was called Wyandotte City). There are no Federally recognized tribes in Missouri as most were relocated during the Indian Removal Act of 1830. The state, nonetheless, got its name from a Sioux tribe called the Missouris. Native American influences in the area are slim with a few notables such as the Shawnee Indian Mission Historic Site (in Johnson County which is named after Rev. Thomas Johnson that established this Indian boarding and manual labor school), The Wyandot Nation of Kansas Reservation, Haskell Indian Nations University (Lawrence, KS) and The Scout statue (downtown KCMO). Read more here: Native Americans

Geographically, the Missouri River cuts the state boarder down to Kansas City before turning East toward St. Louis. The influential river has graced Missouri with beautiful river bluffs and Kansas with flat, fertile land. And don’t be confused between these two roads: State Line (North/South) and State Avenue (East/West). That lack of knowledge caused me to be late to a job interview pre-GPS! Nice places to see the river are the Quindaro Ruins and Overlook Quindaro Park and Quindaro Overlook as well as the observation deck on The Town of Kansas Bridge (not really a bridge) a block off of The City Market (sometimes referred to as The River Market) See the Missouri River.

As noted, the Native American History was tumultuous as was Kansas City area’s involvement in the Civil War. Not difficult to imagine when you had frequent boarder wars (Bleeding KS) to determine Kansas as a Free State and Missouri as a Slave State (Kansas-Nebraska Act of 1854). Notable battles were Quantrill’s Raid Lawrence Massacre (Lawrence, KS) and Battle of Lone Jack (Lone Jack, MO). And just to be confusing in names, Black Jack (Baldwin, KS) is where you can still see wagon train wheel ruts!. Key figures were abolitionist, John Brown and Senator Stephen Douglas. Visit LeCompton, the First Territorial Capitol – political birthplace of the American Civil War (LeCompton).

You may have heard of Westport, MO. In my day it was an area known for its bars and too-young-to-know-better pickup scene (I won’t divulge any details!). Its original claim to fame was being the main city before Kansas City. And the place everyone got their supplies after leaving Independence, MO on the Oregon/California Trail or before traveling West through Olathe, KS (Mahaffie Stage Coach Stop), on the Santa Fe Trail.

The Kansas City area has always been a transportation hub; wagon trains, cattle drives (too bad timing isn’t good to see The American Royal rodeo, horse show and so much more), Calvary, railroads and interstate highways. It was also the location that more troops came through than anywhere else in the United States during WWI through Union Station (271 trains in one day!). Union Station and our Nation’s only memorial to WWI soldiers are must-sees in KC (Union Station_WWI Museum). For the military history buffs – go NW to Leavenworth and the river town of Westin, MO.

Don’t forget about Kansas City gangsters. Not that I will share much because we will go on The Gangster bus Tour when you come to the KC Service/Social event. The stories will be told so much better by Johnny Holiday and his buddies. What I will share is that mob activity wasn’t just the Kansas City Massacre at Union Station (KC Massacre). Even in my early 20s there was a mob bombing in River Key (City Market) and – unbeknownst to me – bootlegging (in the day) in the basement of a restaurant I went to several times. Then there is always our hometown buddy, Tom Pendergast and his political machine…

Other famous Kansas Citians (Famous people). Some of my favorites not mentioned are Nelly Don, Barnett Helzberg, SR., Robert A Long, Henry W. Bloch, William Rockhill Nelson, Mary McAfee Atkins, R. Crosby Kemper and H. Roe Bartle. An no surprise, some with ties in some way to Pendergast!

Our past of divisiveness continues along Troost Avenue thanks to realtor, J.C. Nichols of the famous Country Club Plaza (The Plaza). The effects of real estate Red Lining are still very real. Thanks to many community and KCMO initiatives, strides have been made to open local businesses along the Troost corridor. I have volunteered at Thelma’s Kitchen (Pay it Forward) and gone into orbit over Mochi donuts at Blackhole Bakery (Donuts with crazy good flavor).

Kansas City is the City of Fountains. Go to The Plaza if you want to see several (some are small) in one area. Go to The Plaza if you would like to see Spanish architecture (our sister city is Seville, Spain). Go to The Plaza if you want to shop. Once upon a time The Plaza was a local shopping mecca (and I use to work at two of the restaurants). When the Nichols family sold their ownership share down to 49%, new management changed the vibe to chain stores. There is yet another new owner-in-town, so everyone is holding their breath to see if some of the original “local ownership” pride will return.

Are you hungry yet? Read about KC BBQ and Arthur Bryant. We will eat there! (Yummy for my tummy). There are vegetarian sides but nothing vegan. Those with vegetarian/vegan taste buds MUST eat at Cafe Gratitude. Yep, I have stories on that place too! (Your meal can become a gift to a hungry neighbor). Frankly, I have probably eaten at 50 BBQ joints in town and none have disappointed.

You may not wish to read the end of this story as it could effect your pocket book. Nevertheless, it was a determined Kansas City woman that brought popcorn and movie theaters together. This link unfolds the story of popcorn, theaters, bootleggers (it is KC after all) and WWII rationing. Popcorn please!

How does Kansas City and jazz come together? You have to go back to the 1920s and blend your expectations with a note of the Blues when, once again, we find our good buddy, Tom Pendergast, involved. (Juke Joint)

Swope Park is our version of New York’s Central Park or St. Louis’ Forest Park. Swope Park If you know where to go, there are some great views of downtown Kansas City (though there are closer ones) and monuments throughout the peaceful park.

And then there is something called SPORTS in Kansas City! Negro League Baseball Hall of Fame, The Current (women’s soccer team), KC Sporting (men’s soccer team), NASCAR, Royal’s and Monarchs Baseball, and dare I need to mention… Chief’s Football.

Note: some of us are headed to a Royals baseball game on Sunday afternoon.

Though I was born in New Orleans, grew up in St. Louis, followed my heart to Seattle, Kansas City has been the perfect place to call home. I hope you enjoy your visit and will come again.