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

Stories by The Kansas City Star, with AI summarization
A Conestoga-type wagon that hauled settlers westward has marked the Old Westport Shopping Center since 1963. Now deteriorating, the wagon believed to be from the 1860s was removed and replaced with a replica Wednesday, May 15.
A Conestoga-type wagon that hauled settlers westward has marked the Old Westport Shopping Center since 1963. Now deteriorating, the wagon believed to be from the 1860s was removed and replaced with a replica Wednesday, May 15. Tammy Ljungblad Tljungblad@kcstar.com

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. Eric Adler The Kansas City Star

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

Shawnee Town has spent the last 20 years transforming itself from a place that highlights frontier history to one that highlights the history of the 1920s.
Shawnee Town has spent the last 20 years transforming itself from a place that highlights frontier history to one that highlights the history of the 1920s. Courtesy photo

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. Monty Davis madavis@kcstar.com

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

A Conestoga-type wagon that hauled settlers westward has marked the Old Westport Shopping Center since 1963. Now deteriorating, the wagon believed to be from the 1860s is scheduled to be removed and replaced with a replica on May 15.
A Conestoga-type wagon that hauled settlers westward has marked the Old Westport Shopping Center since 1963. Now deteriorating, the wagon believed to be from the 1860s is scheduled to be removed and replaced with a replica on May 15. Tammy Ljungblad Tljungblad@kcstar.com

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

The Conestoga-type wagon was “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. Emily Curiel ecuriel@kcstar.com

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

Sharon and Paul Wieduwilt stand at the marker for their namesake swales. Paul Wieduwilt had been headmaster of Blue Ridge Christian School in 1998 when it destroyed nearby Santa Fe Trail swales. “We should have known better,” he now says.
Sharon and Paul Wieduwilt stand at the marker for their namesake swales. Paul Wieduwilt had been headmaster of Blue Ridge Christian School in 1998 when it destroyed nearby Santa Fe Trail swales. “We should have known better,” he now says. Paul Wieduwilt

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

The Charles Carroll Spalding memorial in Penn Valley Park.
The Charles Carroll Spalding memorial in Penn Valley Park. Michael Wells

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. Monty Davis madavis@kcstar.com

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

Worlds of Fun in Kansas City is reopening to season pass holders Monday, June 22, 2020. One of the precautions the park is taking is to require visitors to make a reservation for a time slot, as there will be no walk-up ticket sales. CORONAVIRUSKC, REOPENKC
Worlds of Fun in Kansas City is reopening to season pass holders Monday, June 22, 2020. One of the precautions the park is taking is to require visitors to make a reservation for a time slot, as there will be no walk-up ticket sales. CORONAVIRUSKC, REOPENKC Jill Toyoshiba jtoyoshiba@kcstar.com

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

After Harry Truman’s family moved to Independence, Missouri, in 1890, the future president met his future wife, Bess Wallace, at Sunday School in the First Presbyterian Church, which is pictured in a postcard from the early 1900s.
After Harry Truman’s family moved to Independence, Missouri, in 1890, the future president met his future wife, Bess Wallace, at Sunday School in the First Presbyterian Church, which is pictured in a postcard from the early 1900s. Monty Davis madavis@kcstar.com

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

In 1871, Belvidere Street cut all the way between Troost Avenue and what is now Woodland Avenue. By 1887, Belvidere Street was cut off between Forest Avenue and Tracy Avenue and stopped at Lydia Avenue.
In 1871, Belvidere Street cut all the way between Troost Avenue and what is now Woodland Avenue. By 1887, Belvidere Street was cut off between Forest Avenue and Tracy Avenue and stopped at Lydia Avenue. Kansas City Public Library

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

The Buck O’Neil Bridge was known as the Broadway Bridge until October 2016.
The Buck O’Neil Bridge was known as the Broadway Bridge until October 2016. Kansas City Star file photo

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

The Paseo Stairs in front of the Paseo Academy of Fine and Performing Arts is a popular local spot for walkers and runners. Porchea Martin and her 11-year-old daughter Harmony Martin walked the stairs together on June 16.
The Paseo Stairs in front of the Paseo Academy of Fine and Performing Arts is a popular local spot for walkers and runners. Porchea Martin and her 11-year-old daughter Harmony Martin walked the stairs together on June 16. Susan Pfannmuller Special to The Star

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

This story was originally published September 12, 2024 at 3:13 PM.

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