Long ago on independence square (Kansas City, Lee's Summit: shop, transportation, relocation)

[Mad Anthonie]

Originally Posted by WCHS'59

auto body shop?

That may have happened sometime in the building's history, but I'm thinking of a non-automotive transportation related use.

[WCHS'59]

Haines and Hodges Motor Co was west across the street from Van Horn high School on Winner and Truman Road.

They might have been Chrysler dealers.

[Mad Anthonie]

Originally Posted by Mad Anthonie

The building at 9701 E Truman Road was used for a different transportation related purpose after the car dealers left. What was it?

Your next clue, "Ketchum if you can".

[WCHS'59]

Originally Posted by Mad Anthonie

Your next clue, "Ketchum if you can".

Lloyd Ketchum was an Oldsmobile Dealer who was located about three blocks west of the Sanitarium on the south side of Truman.

Jim Taylor and Cliff Hulette Oldsmobile were in there also.

[WCHS'59]

You Bet Your Life was a big hit in the 50s, with Grouch Marx.

The sponsor was Desoto and Plymouth.

I cannot seem to recall where the Desoto dealer was in Independence.


Plymouth was the entry level Chrysler car. Then came Dodge a smidgen higher in cost.

Then came Desoto, then Chrysler and then the flagship line Imperial, which was equal to Cadillac and Lincoln.

Desoto went out though by the early sixties.

[WCHS'59]

Originally Posted by WCHS'59

Lloyd Ketchum was an Oldsmobile Dealer who was located about three blocks west of the Sanitarium on the south side of Truman.

Jim Taylor and Cliff Hulette Oldsmobile were in there also.

Ketchum took over from Hulette at 11323 E Truman Road in August 1958.

I see that the property at 9701 e Truman Road is or maybe was known as the Ketchum Building.

[MRG Dallas]

"Galen Boyer had a used car lot in the 900 block west block of Lexington, which MRG has pointed out but I can’t seem to remember them there."

My Polk's access online ended with 1960 and maybe I was able to determine if GB also moved its new car showroom to that area, but my memory recalls the dealership located on Lexington. Can still remember the pleasant scent of walking into the showroom, especially on a nice hot summer day, when AC wasn't universal. Late 50s to early 60s would be my guess of relocation. Maybe MAD, now our Resident Polk's Expert, would be kind enough to see if I'm correct and what year GB New Cars shows up on Lexington.

[WCHS'59]

Originally Posted by MRG Dallas

"Galen Boyer had a used car lot in the 900 block west block of Lexington, which MRG has pointed out but I can’t seem to remember them there."

My Polk's access online ended with 1960 and maybe I was able to determine if GB also moved its new car showroom to that area, but my memory recalls the dealership located on Lexington. Can still remember the pleasant scent of walking into the showroom, especially on a nice hot summer day, when AC wasn't universal. Late 50s to early 60s would be my guess of relocation. Maybe MAD, now our Resident Polk's Expert, would be kind enough to see if I'm correct and what year GB New Cars shows up on Lexington.

Based on the previous '57 directory shown above Boyer was on the west Maple Street site for new cars and on the 900 w block of Lexington for used cars.

A January 23, 1952, Kansas City Times issue has Gilmor Pontinac at the west Maple address for new cars. Gilmor Pontiac became Boyer Pontiac soon after.

A December 11, 1954, Kansas City Times issue has Galen Boyer at the west Maple address for new cars.

[Mad Anthonie]

Originally Posted by WCHS'59

Lloyd Ketchum was an Oldsmobile Dealer who was located about three blocks west of the Sanitarium on the south side of Truman.

Jim Taylor and Cliff Hulette Oldsmobile were in there also.

Originally Posted by WCHS'59

Ketchum took over from Hulette at 11323 E Truman Road in August 1958.

I see that the property at 9701 e Truman Road is or maybe was known as the Ketchum Building.

It was not Ketchum Oldsmobile, as that is an automotive use. To the best of my knowledge Ketchum Olds was never at 9701 E Truman Road. However, Ketchum something else or other was.

[WCHS'59]

Originally Posted by Mad Anthonie

It was not Ketchum Oldsmobile, as that is an automotive use. To the best of my knowledge Ketchum Olds was never at 9701 E Truman Road. However, Ketchum something else or other was.

There was an appliance store in there at one time.