Kansas City History

How One Kansas City Hospital Treated Segregation in the ‘50s

Queen of the World Hospital was a beacon of unity at a time when black and white citizens were segregated. “Non-white” Kansas Citians – categorized as black and Mexican at the time – had limited options for health services.

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A map of the archaeological areas at the Quindaro site. (Brad Austin | Flatland)

6 Kansas City places with surprising ties to the civil rights movement

Today is a chance to reflect not just on the legacy of Martin Luther King Jr. and the history of civil rights in the United States but also the sometimes-forgotten role played by important places right here in Kansas City. Below are a few places to consider checking out to commemorate how far we’ve come…

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A black and white framed photo of a young man.

This Man Paved The Way For Lee’s Summit

This resource has been removed permanently. There are two sorts of people in the world — those who are blissfully uninterested in the origin of street names, and those who are helplessly intrigued by the history behind this most basic feature of public life.When it comes to Todd George Parkway in Lee’s Summit, Missouri, Sam…

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an old photo os a bustling street/

Do You Know Twelfth Street’s (Famous) Past?

If there’s a street that defines Kansas City, Missouri, which one would you say it is? Obvious candidates include Ward Parkway, The Paseo and Southwest Boulevard. But what would you say to the dark horse selection of 12th Street? It’s a relatively pedestrian thoroughfare now, but it has a bawdy history that reaches back to…

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The Hocker Grove Baseball team

Turn O’ the Century Kansas City Amusement

Nowadays, if you want entertainment, you don’t even have to leave your couch — seasons of “Friends” are just a Netflix log-in away. The more adventurous types can head to First Fridays or take a ride on the Mamba roller coaster at Worlds of Fun. But what about a hundred years ago? What the shuttlecock…

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