Argentine, Kansas facts for kids
Argentine is a community located in the southern part of Kansas City, Kansas. It is part of Wyandotte County. Argentine is surrounded by other communities like Turner to the west and Rosedale to the east. To the south is Johnson County, and to the north are Armourdale and the Kansas River.
Argentine was once famous for a very successful silver smeltery. A smeltery is a place where metal is melted down to remove impurities. The community was even named after this important industry. It was built on land that used to be a Shawnee reservation. Because of the nearby railroad, local wood, the smeltery, and later, steel factories, Argentine had a lot of economic success for many years.
When the silver smeltery finally closed, the community faced big financial problems. In 1907, Argentine decided to join nearby Kansas City. By 1910, it became the seventh ward of Kansas City, Kansas. Even though it's part of a bigger city now, Argentine still has its own special feel and character.
Contents
About Argentine
A Bit of History
Argentine's story began with its important silver smeltery. This smeltery helped the community grow and become wealthy. The area was a good spot for industry because of the railroad and available lumber. Later, steel manufacturing also became a key part of its economy.
When the smeltery shut down, it was a tough time for Argentine. Joining Kansas City helped the community recover and continue to thrive. Today, it remains a unique part of the larger city.
Famous Places to See
Argentine has several interesting landmarks nearby. One is the Argentine Carnegie Library. This library was built with money from Andrew Carnegie, a famous businessman. It is the last Carnegie library still standing in the Kansas City metropolitan area.
You can also find the grave of Tensquatawa at White Feather Spring. Tensquatawa was a Shawnee prophet and the brother of the famous leader Tecumseh. Another notable spot is Sauer Castle, a historic building located at 945 Shawnee Road. Finally, the Argentine mural is a colorful piece of art found at 30th Street and Metropolitan Avenue.
The Big Rail Yard
Argentine is home to an important rail yard called the Argentine Yard. This is one of only three major rail yards for the Atchison, Topeka and Santa Fe Railroad. Rail yards are busy places where trains are sorted, repaired, and loaded. This yard plays a big role in moving goods across the country.
Education
Schools in Argentine
Students in Argentine attend schools within the Kansas City, Kansas School District. The local high school is J. C. Harmon High School. This school opened in 1973. It was created by combining Argentine Senior High School and Rosedale Senior High School. Argentine also has its own middle school, called Argentine Middle School.
Public Libraries
The Kansas City, Kansas Public Library operates the South Branch Library in Argentine. This library is quite large, with about 21,000 square feet (2,000 m2) of space. It's called the South Branch because it serves the entire southern part of Kansas City, not just one neighborhood.
Before the current library, Argentine had the Argentine Carnegie Library. It first opened in a storefront in 1911. Then, in 1917, it got its own special building funded by Andrew Carnegie. By 1998, it was the only Carnegie library left in the city. The old library building is even listed on the National Register of Historic Places.
The new South Branch Library opened in 2012. It cost $6 million to build. Local residents helped raise a third of the money through fundraisers. An old grocery store was torn down to make space for this modern library. The school district now owns the former Carnegie library building.
