Unique Places in Kansas City

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The town got its main start back in 1838 from Colonel Park buying land going up the river bank. It thrived as a shipping port off the Missouri River for years, sending farm products to other areas, and picking up goods for farmers. Park also started a newspaper, and hotel. In 1875, He and Dr. Park began Park University, and it now has 2,000+ students. The architecture style is a gem in the hidden scene off the road. Mackey Hall was build in 1893, and the rest of the campus grew with help of students.

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This is a nice small town on the banks of the Missouri River. The town main street is only a couple of blocks, but the structures are from early 1900's, and quaint. It was founded in 1851 by a Shawnee Indian and named the town after the daughter. With the purchase of 774 acres by German immigrants in 1857, the town grew and the river was its commerce as well as farming. They now number 7,000 people today, and little changes.

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This little town has some old time charm in its main street. It is almost a commuter town for Lawrence, or Kansas City these days-about 20 miles either distance to each. The town founded in 1857 by sale of 80 acres by a Shawnee Indian to Mr. Legate. It wsasa river town and did fairly well until late 1800's. A revival came when Sunflower Ammunition Plant came to town, and it employs thousands. Today the town has 6,000 residents. Abbot Hall named after an original founder is used as a museum

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This once was the capitol of Kansas when it was a territorial State. Things and politics changed that. James Lane, a Senator of suspicious repute started Lane University in the town. When it was to be the State capitol, the population burst to 5,000. Due to political maneuvering by Lane, the capitol changed to Topeka over the fight of free vs slave state status. That crashed the future of Lecompton. Now having 600 residents, it languished for years, and has no commerce, but does have the museums. Lane Museum and Constitution Hall are nice visits to take. They have a lot of artifacts from the mid 1800's to early 1900's.

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This city is growing leaps and bounds, and now is about 120,000 people. Suburban sprawl has created a demand for more commercial and middle sector residential. What used to be a sleepy medium sized town, is not big time. It was founded in 1857, and then was merely open farmland. The old structures are now few, but they do have an old time stage house, called Mahaffie House. It depicts the times in late 1800's, and puts on many events during the year, and Civil War reenactments. Olathe died down into a little community until US 35 came through, and that stimulated new growth since around 1970's

This town is spread out, and mostly a working town environment, with grain processing and hauling being a mainstay. Events close by are its claim to fame. There is Verizon outdoor theater for concerts, and Agricultural Hall of FAme. The town is old and not much preserved structures, but some to see.

This is a nice river town in its old heh day. The steep hills climb form the old shores of the much larger river back then. The town has had its share of floods, and devastated the old buildings. The last was about 10 years ago, and nearly closed up the town

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This is a real treat to go back in time. The college anchors the old time town. There are about 1,000 students, and the university is steeped in history, along with the town. Founded in 1858 by Methodist ministers. The town was founded in 1870, and expanded with many Victorian style homes in early 1900's; with a current population of 3,400. They have 60 on the historic register. Every fall in the 3rd week of October they have a Maple Festival, which brings 30,000 from around the area to partake in festivities.