Long ago on independence square (Kansas City, Jackson: DMV, driving test, house)

[MRG Dallas]

Originally Posted by Mad Anthonie

The entirety of Independence in 1904. There are several details that stand out:
-A now major street labeled with a name I don't think we have discussed here.
-All RR Depots, including the Narrow Gauge Station.
-What can you find?

What road (or other boundary) form the small N. portion in the far upper NW section, where the McCauley and Pugsley properties are? Willis? Forest?

Interesting to see they lay of the land @ IA/River, where a half century later would be my beloved 24 Hiway SC and Dari-Gold drive-in was

[WCHS'59]

Originally Posted by Mad Anthonie

Good catch, this view shows a lake east of Northern Blvd. The current lake is west of Northern. Later today I'll recheck the map for another lake.



Good job so far, but there is at least one more major name change you haven't found.

Rock Street is Maple.

[WCHS'59]

Originally Posted by Mad Anthonie

While searching for something completely different I came across this map. This is a 1940 Jackson County Assessor's map.



Oh, I should note that it is turned; north is on the left.

This shows the rails still going to Maple and Osage and I thought the line was closed from the area east of Truman and Sterling to Maple and Osage back in the 20s.

I would imagine they tore out the rails back to that area during WWII for scrap metal, maybe.

In the lower left of the photo is an automobile bridge on River Blvd going over the tracks. It looks like River was filled in since that area of the street looks to be "level" today.

[Mad Anthonie]

Originally Posted by MRG Dallas

What road (or other boundary) form the small N. portion in the far upper NW section, where the McCauley and Pugsley properties are? Willis? Forest?

Interesting to see they lay of the land @ IA/River, where a half century later would be my beloved 24 Hiway SC and Dari-Gold drive-in was

That is just east of where Crysler ends at Independence Ave.

Originally Posted by WCHS'59

Rock Street is Maple.

There is another major street still shown on the 1904 map with a name previously unknown (at least in my memory).

Originally Posted by WCHS'59

This shows the rails still going to Maple and Osage and I thought the line was closed from the area east of Truman and Sterling to Maple and Osage back in the 20s.

I would imagine they tore out the rails back to that area during WWII for scrap metal, maybe.

In the lower left of the photo is an automobile bridge on River Blvd going over the tracks. It looks like River was filled in since that area of the street looks to be "level" today.

If you have time to search I recall SilverDoc posting that his GF or uncle (Butcher Realty) was involved in selling the old right-of-way.

[Mad Anthonie]

Originally Posted by WCHS'59

This shows the rails still going to Maple and Osage and I thought the line was closed from the area east of Truman and Sterling to Maple and Osage back in the 20s.

I would imagine they tore out the rails back to that area during WWII for scrap metal, maybe.

In the lower left of the photo is an automobile bridge on River Blvd going over the tracks. It looks like River was filled in since that area of the street looks to be "level" today.

My brain woke up, so now I have more info!

Both the bridge on River and the bridge on College were still there in my youth. The one on River was taken out in the early 70s when River was improved, probably as part of Urban Renewal. The College bridge lasted at least into the 90s. At both locations the RR cut was filled in. However, there are numerous spots along the ROW where the grade is evident.

The Air Line ended operation in 1922. The Depot was used for other businesses until being razed in 1926 to make way for the Johnson Building (still standing). In 1944 the KCS advertised the sale of numerous parcels of property along the old ROW, at which time the remaining rails were removed.

[wchs61]

I accidentally discovered this forum today and after reading several of the postings I think this is one I want to join. I was born in Kansas City in 1943 but my earliest memories are in Independence out on Truman Road east of 291. I graduated from WCHS in 1961. I live in South Carolina now but I would like to talk about some of the things I remember for my time there.

[WCHS'59]

Originally Posted by wchs61

I accidentally discovered this forum today and after reading several of the postings I think this is one I want to join. I was born in Kansas City in 1943 but my earliest memories are in Independence out on Truman Road east of 291. I graduated from WCHS in 1961. I live in South Carolina now but I would like to talk about some of the things I remember for my time there.

Good deal. The more the merrier. Silver Doc was from that area also. He has not been on here in a while though. Let's have some memories.

[WCHS'59]

Originally Posted by Mad Anthonie

My brain woke up, so now I have more info!

Both the bridge on River and the bridge on College were still there in my youth. The one on River was taken out in the early 70s when River was improved, probably as part of Urban Renewal. The College bridge lasted at least into the 90s. At both locations the RR cut was filled in. However, there are numerous spots along the ROW where the grade is evident.

The Air Line ended operation in 1922. The Depot was used for other businesses until being razed in 1926 to make way for the Johnson Building (still standing). In 1944 the KCS advertised the sale of numerous parcels of property along the old ROW, at which time the remaining rails were removed.

I dont remember either. It appears that there are houses built on the River fill in.

[WCHS'59]

Originally Posted by WCHS'59

Rock Street is Maple.

There is what appears to be Warwick Street in place of Alton-23rd. I dont believe we have discussed that street.

[WCHS'59]

Originally Posted by MRG Dallas

What road (or other boundary) form the small N. portion in the far upper NW section, where the McCauley and Pugsley properties are? Willis? Forest?

Interesting to see they lay of the land @ IA/River, where a half century later would be my beloved 24 Hiway SC and Dari-Gold drive-in was

That small western boundary in the north looks like the end of the McCauley and Pugsely properties. There does not appear to be a street there.