Long ago on independence square (Kansas City, St. Charles: houses, live, vs)

[WCHS'59]

Originally Posted by Mad Anthonie

Don't railroad me into helping you discover the glaring error on this map!

Maybe it went in that direction but they changed it. As Judy Tenuta might say, "It could happen!" Good Lord, she is 59 years old now.

[Mad Anthonie]

Originally Posted by Mad Anthonie

Don't railroad me into helping you discover the glaring error on this map!

Originally Posted by WCHS'59

Maybe it went in that direction but they changed it. As Judy Tenuta might say, "It could happen!" Good Lord, she is 59 years old now.

The Chicago & Alton RR was built in 1879, this map is from 1886. This map shows the tracks angling NE after crossing Noland. However, the RR has always been where it is now, angling SE from Noland.

I have read in the C&A history that 2 possible routes were considered by RR surveyors. They eventually settled on the southern route. Perhaps this map is showing the rejected route.

[Kev 2732]

Originally Posted by Mad Anthonie

The Chicago & Alton RR was built in 1879, this map is from 1886. This map shows the tracks angling NE after crossing Noland. However, the RR has always been where it is now, angling SE from Noland.

I have read in the C&A history that 2 possible routes were considered by RR surveyors. They eventually settled on the southern route. Perhaps this map is showing the rejected route.

If you look at the current google satellite map of Independence, there is an abandoned rail line that spurs SW from about Twyman Rd and runs parallel with MO-78. What can you train and Independence experts tell us about its history?

[WCHS'59]

Originally Posted by Kev 2732

If you look at the current google satellite map of Independence, there is an abandoned rail line that spurs SW from about Twyman Rd and runs parallel with MO-78. What can you train and Independence experts tell us about its history?

That line came all the way into Independence, and what is left of it still does from about Truman and M-291. It crosses Noland at about Walnut. The depot was located at Lexington and Short.


What began as a really slow death of the line was that it was originally narrow gauge. When converted to standard gauge, some of curves were too sharp and some of the hills too steep for efficient standard gauge operation. All major trains were rerouted on new track from west of M-7 in the Lake City area north and west to the Missouri River to tie in with existing tracks of another railroad. Independence was by passed.


For a complete history of the line from when it was started as the Wyandotte, Kansas City, and Northwestern see post #8194, page 820, from April 13, 2005, on this "Long Ago on Independence Square" thread.

[Mad Anthonie]

Originally Posted by Kev 2732

If you look at the current google satellite map of Independence, there is an abandoned rail line that spurs SW from about Twyman Rd and runs parallel with MO-78. What can you train and Independence experts tell us about its history?

Here are a couple of maps covering that line. First is 1904...



Next is 1925...



Notice that the RR ran on the south side of what is now M-78 headed out to Lake City. In the 1930s when the line was shut down, part of the RR ROW became M-78, including the bridge over the Little Blue (since replaced). The spur that used to run into the power plant was built for that purpose later.

[Mad Anthonie]

In 1957 the Blue Valley Power Plant was under construction. In this view the plant is dead center. Going NE from there is the new RR spur to serve it. The old rail line route is still visible west of there. It dips SE from Truman and Alexander, curving into the route of M-78.



Further east the old line is visible north of M-78 as it approaches the Lake City Circle. The new spur is at the upper left (just above "obsolete"), it splits off the main line just north of this view.

[Mad Anthonie]

Identify the location of this site as seen in 1963. For extra credit name at least one historic structure in this view (it is no longer there).

[WCHS'59]

This came from the Examiner this morning and is from this week in 1916:

“A little girl of this city was made extremely happy by the county court. Her name was given to a county road east of town. In honor of the little girl, a north and south road two miles long connecting the Lake City and the Barton Roads about six miles east of Independence was officially named “Ardyce Road.” Up to this point the road didn't have an official name. It will be known as such in the county records and maps.”

A January 1940 edition of the Independence Examiner makes mention of Ardyce Road.

But, I could not find it on any current maps or any current list of Independence Streets. Barton Road is absent also. Maybe both became part of the Arsenal, although the Arsenal gate is seven miles slightly northeast of the square as the crow flies.

[WCHS'59]

Originally Posted by Mad Anthonie

Identify the location of this site as seen in 1963. For extra credit name at least one historic structure in this view (it is no longer there).

Looks like the area of the old Chicago and Alton depot. The large building was the occupied by the Jackson County Sheriff's department.

[Mad Anthonie]

Originally Posted by WCHS'59

Looks like the area of the old Chicago and Alton depot. The large building was the occupied by the Jackson County Sheriff's department.

Correct! The Depot is no longer there, but does still exist. It was moved to the grounds of the National Frontier Trails Museum and restored. It is open for tours April 1 thru October 31. The large building (Crysler & Turner) was later Jackson County Public Works. Today it is used by Independence Public Works.