Long ago on independence square (Liberty, Lexington: eyebrows, apartment complex, appliances)

[WCHS'59]

Originally Posted by Mad Anthonie

I checked the directory on both streets from 1940 to 1960 and didn't see it. Did I miss something, or should I go earlier?

Well, pardon me, I goofed. Sorry.

Hayward and Willis were the streets.

The office door actually fronted on Willis and the address seems to be 643 S. Willis.

[Mad Anthonie]

Originally Posted by WCHS'59

Well, pardon me, I goofed. Sorry.

Hayward and Willis were the streets.

The office door actually fronted on Willis and the address seems to be 643 S. Willis.

In 1960 Independence Ice and Creamery is listed at 625 S Willis, there is no 643 that year.

In 1911 that business was known as Independence Ice and Cold Storage. That is the earliest year I can do remotely.

[WCHS'59]

Originally Posted by Mad Anthonie

In 1960 Independence Ice and Creamery is listed at 625 S Willis, there is no 643 that year.

In 1911 that business was known as Independence Ice and Cold Storage. That is the earliest year I can do remotely.

This might have been sort of a trick question in that I do not have the date of going out of business. I thought someone either might know or could come up with the answer.

I have December 20, 1917, as the date beginning operation.

A snippet of a book says that Hygrade ice cream was "demonstrated" at the Memorial Building in 1939, in conjunction with a cooking school held there.

I was there in the factory during a third grade field trip, which would have been '49 to '50. They gave each of us kids an Eskimo Pie, which was around ten cents at the time.

I was thinking it might have gone out in mid to late fifties.

The old building at Cottage and Willis still says "Home of Hygrade Ice Cream" in very faint lettering.

There was also at least another Hygrade Ice Cream company in the eastern US and other food companies elsewhere called Hygrade.

[Mad Anthonie]

Originally Posted by WCHS'59

This might have been sort of a trick question in that I do not have the date of going out of business. I thought someone either might know or could come up with the answer.

I have December 20, 1917, as the date beginning operation.

A snippet of a book says that Hygrade ice cream was "demonstrated" at the Memorial Building in 1939, in conjunction with a cooking school held there.

I was there in the factory during a third grade field trip, which would have been '49 to '50. They gave each of us kids an Eskimo Pie, which was around ten cents at the time.

I was thinking it might have gone out in mid to late fifties.

The old building at Cottage and Willis still says "Home of Hygrade Ice Cream" in very faint lettering.

There was also at least another Hygrade Ice Cream company in the eastern US and other food companies elsewhere called Hygrade.

1917 is probably when they added ice cream to the ice operation. I'll try to remember to research this more the next time I'm at the library.

[Mad Anthonie]

Okay Chuck, we are ready for your next question!

[WCHS'59]

Originally Posted by Mad Anthonie

1917 is probably when the added ice cream to the ice operation. I'll try to remember to research this more the next time I'm at the library.

December 12, 1917, was the beginning date for Hygrade. Dont have an end date.


In 1905 a fellow by the name of R. J. Turner sold his ice business to the Independence Ice and Cold Storage Co. Turner had been in business for thirty years harvesting ice from a lake that use to be at the site.

In 1914 Independence Ice and Cold Storage Co upgraded their operation to 90 tons daily after increasing their capital stock from $75,000 to $100,000.

In 1922 the name was changed to Independence Ice, Fuel, and Cold Storage Co. That same year they announced an increase of three cents per pound to their commercial customers. That same year they installed a 19 ton addition.

In 1944, the Independence Ice and Creamery Co planned to add an additional 600 lockers to their plant. My grandparents on both sides rented a frozen food locker in a local ice plant in the 40s and early 50s. I assume the 600 lockers at Independence were for the same purpose.

[WCHS'59]

Here is a 1907 Sanborn view of the ice plant complete with its own railroad spur.

The plant must have shipped ice out to customers somewhere in the KC area. Or, the railroad backed their cold storage cars in for icing.

[WCHS'59]

Google Maps aerial and ground views now show the new 39th Street bridge over the Little Blue. However, if you follow the ground view with a mouse it morphs back and forth to the old two lane view.

[WCHS'59]

Anyone remember what happened to this item that came from The Examiner during May 1960? There have been discussions of Horseshoe Lake on this forum but this is news to me.

Henry Brothers Small Animal Circus, which has entertained thousands of youngsters and oldsters in towns and cities across the country, has chosen Horseshoe Lake on R.D. Mize Road as its base of operation for the future. He plans to make the lake property, adjacent to the Independence airport, a headquarters for other circus performers as they pass through this area.

[WCHS'59]

Where was this store located in Independence?