Long ago on independence square (construction, subdivisions, cars)

[Mad Anthonie]

Originally Posted by WCHS'59

Brady Park was up by the Library. Did it have anything to do with the Charles Brady, a postmaster, home.

Charles Brady lived at 808 N Union, which is just south of the Park. I remember when the Park was created there was a contest to name it. A high school girl, who's name I don't recall, was the winner. The Examiner had a front page photo of her with the reason for the name, all of which is hiding somewhere in my wetware.

The historical connections I'm looking for actually have nothing to do with any Brady person. It is something connected to that particular parcel, a connection shared with The Neck.

[Mad Anthonie]

Originally Posted by MRG Dallas

So in the age before GPS, maps online, et al . .what did y'all do to learn the layout? Memorize maps? Did IPD put on classes to teach dispatchers and cops the lay of the land?

We were mostly self-taught. It was common for new officers, especially if they didn't grow up here, to go out and drive around their districts on their days off, just to learn the streets. I had the advantage of growing up here, which helped for the parts of town I frequented.

Dispatchers had large (2x3 ft.) laminated maps of the city, with the patrol districts outlined. In the 70s there was quite a bit of new subdivision construction. I would often drive out the new subdivisions and hand draw additions to our dispatch maps.

Anytime an officer was dispatched to one of the city's quirkier locations they weren't familiar with they would ask over the air for directions, usually a dispatcher or other officers would know the way.

[WCHS'59]

Originally Posted by Mad Anthonie

Charles Brady lived at 808 N Union, which is just south of the Park. I remember when the Park was created there was a contest to name it. A high school girl, who's name I don't recall, was the winner. The Examiner had a front page photo of her with the reason for the name, all of which is hiding somewhere in my wetware.

The historical connections I'm looking for actually have nothing to do with any Brady person. It is something connected to that particular parcel, a connection shared with The Neck.

That leaves out Pat Brady and Nelly Bell with Bullet, Buttermilk, and the the stallion, then.

[Mad Anthonie]

Originally Posted by Mad Anthonie

What was formerly Brady Park has been downgraded to Brady Greenspace. What is historically significant about this parcel of land?

This parcel was along the rail bed of the Independence & Wayne City Landing RR and the Airline RR from KC to the Independence Square. Although the rails and ties are gone the topography still shows part of the path. Both RRs also ran through The Neck.

[WCHS'59]

Originally Posted by Mad Anthonie

This parcel was along the rail bed of the Independence & Wayne City Landing RR and the Airline RR from KC to the Independence Square. Although the rails and ties are gone the topography still shows part of the path. Both RRs also ran through The Neck.

I think that was the Independence & Missouri River RR that came in from the north.

[Mad Anthonie]

Originally Posted by WCHS'59

I think that was the Independence & Missouri River RR that came in from the north.

Congratulations! That was a test to see if you were paying better attention than I. You were!

[Mad Anthonie]

Good morning, it is time to play "Where's Waldo, er, Water!"

[WCHS'59]

Originally Posted by Mad Anthonie

Good morning, it is time to play "Where's Waldo, er, Water!"

That would appear to be what are now the dry lakes west of M-291 between 23rd Street and Truman Road. On second thought it could be Dickinson Lakes west of Dickinson Road between Highway 24 and Fisher.

[Mad Anthonie]

Originally Posted by WCHS'59

That would appear to be what are now the dry lakes west of M-291 between 23rd Street and Truman Road. On second thought it could be Dickinson Lakes west of Dickinson Road between Highway 24 and Fisher.

Flip a coin, which is it?

[WCHS'59]

Originally Posted by Mad Anthonie

Flip a coin, which is it?

Tails.