Long ago on independence square (Kansas City, Liberty: title company, paid, remodeling)

[WCHS'59]

Originally Posted by SilverDoc

You've brought up a good point about the old vs new trucks. I remember that for the most part it seemed, trucks with small tanks seemed to be local oil companies, whereas long tankers for the most part were owned by the big boys...Standard, Mobil, Sinclair....etc. And, even though the Sugar Creek refinery was owned by Standard Oil, various other oil companies used the pipeline facilities to fill their tanks.

Every major gasoline refiner back then seemed to have their own additive that got you more miles per gallon or cleaned your engine better than anyone else's brand. Nowadays, gasoline is gasoline.

[WCHS'59]

In the fifties, everyone we knew would say that when going to the Kansas City business district to shop, they were going downtown.

Local folks would also say that when going to the Independence business district to shop, we were going uptown.

After I began driving I learned there was actually an uptown district in Kansas City, which confused the situation somewhat, at least for me.

[Mad Anthonie]

Originally Posted by SilverDoc

I guess you guys need something a bit tougher on this cold blustery day:

I'll need to ruminate on this one a bit. My Beloved and I both recognize the place, but can't place it. I'm thinking it was a small business, based on the sign "someone" painted over, and the outbuilding in the rear.

[SilverDoc]

Originally Posted by Mad Anthonie

I'll need to ruminate on this one a bit. My Beloved and I both recognize the place, but can't place it. I'm thinking it was a small business, based on the sign "someone" painted over, and the outbuilding in the rear.

Well, you don't think I was going to make it TOO easy, did ya? So ya like the "painted" sign, huh? I thought it was a nice touch!

[MRG Dallas]

Originally Posted by SilverDoc

Well, you don't think I was going to make it TOO easy, did ya? So ya like the "painted" sign, huh? I thought it was a nice touch!

Ok I tried Googling Bed and Breakfasts in Independence and looked at the Images, to no avail. So I'm guessing it's not a BnB?

That sure is a big ol house . . don't think it's the photography studio that's on W. Lexington . . .after that, I'm out of ideas. MAD/WCHS?

EDIT: Actually I was thinking of the printer that worked out of his home, Monte Parker Printer

[WCHS'59]

I recognize it but cannot pinpoint the location.

I thought it was on Truman Road but it was not the house I was thinking about.

I am thinking it was not within the city limits in the fifties.

[Mad Anthonie]

Originally Posted by MRG Dallas

Ok I tried Googling Bed and Breakfasts in Independence and looked at the Images, to no avail. So I'm guessing it's not a BnB?

That sure is a big ol house . . don't think it's the photography studio that's on W. Lexington . . .after that, I'm out of ideas. MAD/WCHS?

EDIT: Actually I was thinking of the printer that worked out of his home, Monte Parker Printer

I'm thinking it may have been a farm/produce type operation. The outbuilding has a bit of an agricultural look, at least to my feeble eyes. The slope of the road is wrong for the old Risinger Gardens on Truman.

[WCHS'59]

I will guess Blue Mills Road.

[WCHS'59]

When I started working during high school in the fifties, I had a savings account at the First National Bank of Independence, now Bank of America.

I learned I could get more interest by depositing with Blue Valley Federal Savings and Loan at 310 West Lexington. So I went to Blue Valley. At the time the rate was 4% at Blue Valley, which might have been one percent or so above First National. I stayed with them for several years. They had a rather new office with an all glass front trimmed in brick with a glass entry door, all carpeted within, light and airy, and was a nice place to do business. I tried to get a loan from them to buy a car but they turned me down because the law back then restricted them to real estate loans.

Last year I drove by there expecting to see my old place of banking, but the building is boarded up and looking really seedy. Apparently, the home office in Kansas City went out in 1990 or so.

[WCHS'59]

Another banking story.

When my family moved to Independence in 1946 from southeast Kansas, my mother opened a bank account at the old Bank of Independence, on the northwest corner of Maple and Liberty, for each of us two kids. She placed $35 in two accounts.

According to an inflation web site, $35 in 1946 is worth around $450, today.

I was not aware of the account, but when I decided to do business with Blue Valley Federal Savings and Loan, my mother decided to give me the Bank of Independence money provided I put it in Blue Valley and let it draw four percent. She took me up to the bank and withdrew the money.

Banking hours were 10 am to 2 pm five days a week back in those days.

This was around 1958, twelve years after the account was opened. When she asked to close the account, the teller gave her $35. I can still recall her asking him where the interest was. He informed her an account did not draw interest unless there was a minimum balance of $50.