The Story of Ben Holladay: The Stagecoach King and Missouri Bourbon Pioneer
From Stagecoach King to Missouri Bourbon Pioneer - Uncover the incredible journey of Ben Holladay. Explore his empire of reliable stagecoaches, winning the government mail delivery contract, and becoming the largest employer in the US. Discover the oldest distillery west of the Mississippi River and its connection to Holladay.
The Liberty Memorial: Alternate Design Proposals
Unveiling a fascinating journey of design possibilities, this blog explores the diverse architectural proposals that could have transformed the iconic landmark. From soaring columns to grand obelisks and even a "modest" Statue of Liberty, delve into a captivating collection of renderings and envision how the city's skyline might have been altered. Join us on this captivating visual tour of alternative visions for the Liberty Memorial.
Honoring the Past: The Remarkable Legacy of the Liberty Memorial in Kansas City
Discover the remarkable legacy of the Liberty Memorial in Kansas City, a renowned war museum and memorial dedicated to World War I. Uncover its rich history, from its establishment in 1926 to its recent redesignation as the National World War I Museum and Memorial. Immerse yourself in the exhibits that chronicle the global events of the war and experience the awe-inspiring Guardian Spirits atop the memorial tower. Explore the renovations, rededications, and its status as a National Historic Landmark.
Exploring the Forgotten Story of Imperial Brewing: A Glimpse into KC's Beer Legacy
Discover the forgotten history of Imperial Brewing Company, a relic of Kansas City's brewing legacy. Dive into the rise and fall of this iconic brewery, its architectural charm, and the challenges of restoration. Uncover the tales behind its signature lagers and the impact of Prohibition. Explore the uncertain fate of the Imperial Brewing Company Building and its enduring presence in the Westside.
Celebrating A 75-Year Legacy in Kansas City: Cosentino’s Food Stores
Discover the enduring legacy of Cosentino's Food Stores, a family-owned grocery store serving Kansas City for 75 years. Explore their remarkable journey from a small storefront to 31 thriving stores under the banners of Price Chopper, Apple Market, Sun Fresh, and Cosentino's Market. Uncover the Cosentino family's commitment to building lasting relationships with customers and the community, making them an integral part of Kansas City's fabric.
Discover the Early Years & History of the University of Missouri-Kansas City (UMKC)
Learn about the fascinating history of the University of Missouri-Kansas City, from its roots in the Lincoln and Lee University movement to its merger with local private institutions of higher learning. Discover how the university grew to become the largest in the Kansas City metropolitan area, with a medical school and high research activity classification.
The Resilient History of the Paseo YMCA: From the Birthplace of the Negro National League to a Revitalized Research Center
Discover the inspiring story of the Paseo YMCA, a historic building in Kansas City that was the birthplace of the Negro National League and has since been revitalized into the Buck O’Neil Education and Research Center. Learn about the setbacks and resiliency of the Negro Leagues Baseball Museum and the greater Kansas City community to preserve and celebrate the rich history of African-American baseball.
The Early Years and Founding of Three Midwestern Universities: K-State, KU, and MU
Learn about the founding and history of three major universities in the Midwest: Kansas State University, the University of Kansas, and the University of Missouri. Explore the challenges they faced, their growth over time, and their contributions to education and research.
The Evolution of Kansas City International Airport: A Journey Through History
Discover the fascinating history of Kansas City International Airport, from its early days as Mid-Continent International Airport to its latest transformation with a new state-of-the-art terminal. Learn about the innovative design by TWA, the challenges faced in its development, and the major renovations that have shaped the airport into what it is today.
Metro North Mall: A Look Back at Kansas City's Iconic Shopping Destination
Explore the history of Metro North Mall, once a thriving shopping destination in Kansas City, and discover how it eventually fell into disrepair and was ultimately demolished for redevelopment. From its grand opening in 1976 to its closure in 2014, learn about the mall's anchor stores, popular restaurants, and unique features that made it a beloved landmark for decades.
Discovering the Hidden History of Kansas City's 8th Street Tunnel
Explore the fascinating history of Kansas City's 8th Street Tunnel, a true engineering marvel built in the late 1800s by Robert Gillham. Learn about the challenges Gillham and his team faced as they dug through the bluff, the tunnel's steep grade, and the maintenance issues that arose. Discover how the tunnel was used for more than 60 years and why it was eventually abandoned. Finally, find out about the current state of the tunnel and its future preservation.
The Story of Worlds of Fun: How a Kansas City Amusement Park Came to Be
Discover the history of Worlds of Fun, the amusement park located in Kansas City, Missouri. Learn about its founding by Lamar Hunt, the addition of Oceans of Fun, and the transformation of Screamroller into the first looping, stand-up roller coaster in North America. Find out how Cedar Fair LP purchased the park in 1995 and invested in new attractions, making it a popular destination for tourists and locals alike.
Uncovering the History of Southmoreland on the Plaza: a 110-Year-Old Mansion in Kansas City [Photos]
Learn about the intriguing history of Southmoreland on the Plaza, a 1913 single-family home turned boutique hotel in Kansas City. Discover how the property evolved over the years and the notable figures who owned it. Find out how the current owners transformed it into a gem of the travel industry, providing respite and fond memories to thousands of guests.
Reviving the Legacy of Heim Brewery: Sustainable Farming and Local Businesses in Kansas City's East Bottoms
Discover the rich history of Heim Brewery, from its roots in Austria to its transformation into a powerhouse brand. Learn about the three Heim brothers and their entrepreneurial ventures, including a professional baseball team, streetcar line, and amusement park.
Explore the remnants of the brewery that still remain in the East Bottoms and how J.Rieger and Urban Bounty Farms are reviving the area with sustainable farming and locally owned businesses. Join the movement to establish sustainable farming practices and community development in historic East Bottoms.
The Sauer Castle: A Tale of Five Generations in KCK (Updated 2024)
Learn about the haunted mansion of Anton Sauer, a landmark of the Santa Fe Trail. The mansion was passed down through generations until being purchased in 1987 with the intention of turning it into a bed and breakfast, but constant vandalism from trespassers deterred those plans. Carl Lopp, Anton's great-great-grandson, bought the mansion in 1988 to restore it, but only minor improvements have been made. Today, the ownership and taxes of the property continue to be a point of contention.
The Rise and Fall of Kansas City's River Quay: A Tale of Ambition, Mafia Infiltration, and Tainted Legacy
Discover the history of Kansas City's River Quay and how it went from being a successful family-oriented attraction to a site of violence and mafia control. Learn about the vision of its founder Marion A. Trozzolo, the success of entrepreneur Fred Harvey Bonadonna, and the mafia's attempts to seize power. Read on to explore the downfall of one of Kansas City's most beloved sites.
Discover the Fascinating History of the Stover Mansion: Home of the Founders of Stover Candies in Kansas City
Learn about the captivating history of the Stover Mansion, the home of the founders of Stover Candies, Russell and Clara Stover. From its beginnings as a 25-room mansion built by the Jones family, to its purchase by the Stovers for $32,500, and the five years it took to transform it into a luxurious home, this mansion has a rich and interesting history. Read on to discover how this iconic building became a symbol of the Stover's success and determination in Kansas City.
Garozzo's: The Success Story of Michael Garozzo, the Man Behind the Famous Chicken Spiedini in Kansas City
Discover the inspiring story of Michael Garozzo, the owner of Garozzo's Italian Restaurants in Kansas City, and the man behind the famous Chicken Spiedini. From humble beginnings as a busboy to successful restaurant owner, learn about his journey to success and the creation of a Kansas City staple. Read on for the full story.
Reviving a Legacy: The Story of J. Rieger & Co. and Kansas City's First Distillery Since Prohibition
In 2012, Andy Rieger and Ryan Maybee embarked on a mission to bring back J. Rieger & Co., the historic Kansas City distillery that had been lost to Prohibition. With a shared vision and a unique style of American Whiskey paying tribute to the company's history, they relaunched the brand in 2014.