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Unearth more about KC with these 6 little-known stories about our region’s history

Stories by The Kansas City Star, with AI summarization
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

For those looking to learn more about the history of the Kansas City region, explore these stories about historical sites, figures like Harry Truman as well as the contributions of Black communities to making the Kansas City we know today.

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 second Electric Park in Kansas City was an even bigger success than the first, with rides and slides and even an alligator farm when it opened in 1907. One of the amusement park’s patrons was a young Walt Disney.
The second Electric Park in Kansas City was an even bigger success than the first, with rides and slides and even an alligator farm when it opened in 1907. One of the amusement park’s patrons was a young Walt Disney. Monty Davis madavis@kcstar.com

No. 1: This Kansas City amusement park helped plant the seeds for the creation of Disneyland

This amusement park was full of wonder, and a young Walt Disney visited it often. | Published January 10, 2024 | Read Full Story

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. 2: 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. | Published May 8, 2024 | Read Full Story

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. 3: 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? | Published March 20, 2024 | Read Full Story

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. 4: 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. | Published May 1, 2024 | Read Full Story

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. 5: 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. | Published April 17, 2024 | Read Full Story

In 2019, 20 veteran and retired firefighter snapped salutes as a hearse passed by 2033 Vine Street, the location of Station 11, Kansas City’s historic all-Black fire station. The firefighters were there to honor Kansas City’s first and only Black fire chief, Ed Wilson.
In 2019, 20 veteran and retired firefighter snapped salutes as a hearse passed by 2033 Vine Street, the location of Station 11, Kansas City’s historic all-Black fire station. The firefighters were there to honor Kansas City’s first and only Black fire chief, Ed Wilson. Photo contributed by Pat Jordan

No. 6: KC wants fire station that housed first all-Black brigade to get historical designation

Fire Station No. 11 holds a special place in Kansas City history. | Published August 16, 2024 | Read Full Story

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