Colonel Thomas H. Swope was a prominent figure in the history of Kansas City, Missouri. Born in Kentucky in 1827, he came to Missouri in 1856 and became a successful real estate land owner and philanthropist. Swope’s influence on Kansas City was vast, and his legacy still lives on today, Read more…
George Kessler, The Paseo & the City’s First Fountain Kansas City may have never been known as “The City of Fountains” without the foresight of George E. Kessler’s vision of The Paseo, Kansas City’s first boulevard. Kessler is credited for designing the beautiful landscaping of the Hyde Park neighborhood, which Read more…
The concept of “Bring down the hammer” was never more evident than in the early years of the KC Parks system. A group of KC citizens who thought a well-planned park and boulevard system was too costly from a tax perspective was caused quite a brouhaha in the 1890s and Read more…
William Volker – Mr. Anonymous William Volker had quite a lot to do with many Kansas City initiatives including UMKC, Research Hospital and other civic efforts. He even was known to be a silent donor to individual citizens of Kansas City that needed a boost during hardships. But let’s read Read more…