Part 2 of 3 (originally published 6/18/20) Last week the first in a 3-part series of Kansas City’s WWII experience laid the background on why the Kansas City area was able to land so many important defense plant contracts, considering the long tradition of military production plants located predominantly on the coasts. For this weekContinue reading “KC in WWII: The Fairfax, Pratt and Whitney and Lake City Defense Plants”
Tag Archives: Troost Avenue
The Landing Mall: A History of Redevelopment (Part II)
(originally published 1/30/20) Last week’s post told the history of The Landing, 1897 – 1950(ish). This week, we look at the property in the hands of the J.C. Nichols Company, which purchased it in 1946, but didn’t get around to developing it for quite some time. We concluded the last post with the official companyContinue reading “The Landing Mall: A History of Redevelopment (Part II)”
The Landing Mall: A History of Redevelopment (Part I)
(originally published 1/23/20) This is the first of a two-part look at the The Landing Mall, beginning with its history before the center was built. The site spent 50 years supporting a business, taking advantage of a natural setting that has long since been covered in pavement. But its fate would change with the arrivalContinue reading “The Landing Mall: A History of Redevelopment (Part I)”
Christmas in Kansas City – More than Plaza Lights
(originally published 12/5/19) Understandably, when Kansas City pictures itself at Christmas, those pictures are often of the Country Club Plaza lights. Celebrating its 90th year of official lighting (decorating actually began informally as early as 1923), it’s considered one of “the” lighting displays in America. While the Plaza lights are a tradition to embrace, KansasContinue reading “Christmas in Kansas City – More than Plaza Lights”
KC’s Board Track: Part 2- The Price of Speed
(originally published 9/26/19) Last time, in Part 1, we looked to 1922, and the latest civic endeavor to put Kansas City on the map. The Kansas City Speedway, a racing complex to rival the best tracks in the country, was one of only a couple of dozen in the country where the racing surface itselfContinue reading “KC’s Board Track: Part 2- The Price of Speed”
KC’s Board Track: Part 1 – The Promise of Speed
(originally published 9/19/20 The tale of Kansas City’s first but long-forgotten experience with big-time racing was too big to cover in one post. This week is the story of the track – how it came to be, it’s incredible construction and the spectacle of the finished Kansas City Speedway. The next post tells the taleContinue reading “KC’s Board Track: Part 1 – The Promise of Speed”
KC Backstories 