Sugar Creek, Missouri facts for kids
Quick facts for kids
Sugar Creek, Missouri
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Location of Sugar Creek, Missouri
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| Country | United States |
| State | Missouri |
| Counties | Jackson, Clay |
| Area | |
| • Total | 11.65 sq mi (30.17 km2) |
| • Land | 10.99 sq mi (28.46 km2) |
| • Water | 0.66 sq mi (1.71 km2) |
| Elevation | 886 ft (270 m) |
| Population
(2020)
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| • Total | 3,271 |
| • Density | 297.69/sq mi (114.93/km2) |
| Time zone | UTC-6 (Central (CST)) |
| • Summer (DST) | UTC-5 (CDT) |
| ZIP code |
64054
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| Area code(s) | Area code 816 |
| FIPS code | 29-71368 |
| GNIS feature ID | 2395995 |
Sugar Creek is a city located in Jackson and Clay Counties in the United States. It is part of the larger Kansas City metropolitan area. In 2020, about 3,271 people lived there.
Contents
Where is Sugar Creek Located?
Sugar Creek covers a total area of about 11.33 square miles (29.34 square kilometers). Most of this area, about 10.54 square miles (27.30 square kilometers), is land. The rest, about 0.79 square miles (2.05 square kilometers), is water.
A Look Back at Sugar Creek's History
Like many places along the Missouri River, Sugar Creek was once home to the Osage people. The city gets its name from a nearby stream called Sugar Creek.
Early Explorers and Westward Journeys
On June 25, 1804, the famous Lewis and Clark Expedition camped on an island in the Missouri River. This island was right across from what is now Sugar Creek.
In the mid-1800s, the Sugar Creek area was very important for people moving west. It was first known as Upper Independence Landing. This spot along the Missouri River was a port where pioneers received supplies. Later, it was renamed Wayne City Landing after an army lieutenant.
Wayne City, which is now a historic site, also welcomed travelers heading west. These travelers used famous routes like the Oregon, California, and Santa Fe Trails. In 1850, the first railroad west of the Mississippi River was built here. It connected Wayne City to nearby Independence, Missouri.
Fun Times at Fairmount Park
From the early 1890s to the 1930s, Sugar Creek had a popular fun park called Fairmount Park. It had a hotel, a theater, a lake, and exciting carnival rides. One of its roller coasters was even the biggest in the world at one time! Visitors could ride a streetcar from Kansas City to get to the park.
Growth and Becoming a City
In 1903, a company called Standard Oil of Indiana bought land in Sugar Creek. They opened a new oil refinery a year later. This refinery helped the town grow quickly. Many immigrants from Eastern Europe came to work at the plant. By 1918, more than 800 people lived in the town.
After World War I, local business people and residents formed the Sugar Creek Improvement Association. This group helped install streetlights and set the city's boundaries. They also asked for Sugar Creek to become an official city. On November 15, 1920, the City of Sugar Creek was officially created. It started with about 564 acres (2.28 square kilometers) and 1,800 residents. The city continued to grow. In 1958, another 294 acres (1.19 square kilometers) were added, bringing new chances for development.
The Liberty Bend Bridge is in the northeastern part of Sugar Creek. It carries Route 291 over the Missouri River. The first part of the bridge was built in 1949. This happened when a new path for the river was finished. It replaced an older bridge from 1927 that was about two miles north. In 1996, work began on a second part of the bridge. This new part opened in 2001. The older part was also fixed up. This project helped turn Route 291 into a four-lane highway.
The oil refinery in Sugar Creek closed in 1982. Over time, there were concerns about how the refinery's past operations affected the environment. Efforts were made to address these environmental issues.
People of Sugar Creek
| Historical population | |||
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| Census | Pop. | %± | |
| 1930 | 1,657 | — | |
| 1940 | 1,638 | −1.1% | |
| 1950 | 1,858 | 13.4% | |
| 1960 | 2,663 | 43.3% | |
| 1970 | 4,755 | 78.6% | |
| 1980 | 4,305 | −9.5% | |
| 1990 | 3,982 | −7.5% | |
| 2000 | 3,839 | −3.6% | |
| 2010 | 3,345 | −12.9% | |
| 2020 | 3,271 | −2.2% | |
| U.S. Decennial Census | |||
In 2010, there were 3,345 people living in Sugar Creek. There were 1,420 households. About 27.5% of these households had children under 18. The average age of people in the city was 41.2 years.
Schools in Sugar Creek
Most of Sugar Creek is part of the Independence Public School District. Some eastern parts of the city are in the Fort Osage School District.
Schools that serve students in Sugar Creek include:
- Elm Grove Elementary
- Abraham Mallinson Elementary
- Sugar Creek Elementary
- Mill Creek Elementary
- Bingham Middle School
- Nowlin Middle School
- Osage Trail Middle School
- Fort Osage High School
- Van Horn High School
- William Chrisman High School
The Kansas City Public Library also has a branch in Sugar Creek. It is called the Sugar Creek Library.
Culture and Events
Sugar Creek is known for its annual Sugar Creek Slavic Festival. This festival celebrates the heritage and traditions of the many Eastern European immigrants who came to live and work in the area.
See also
In Spanish: Sugar Creek (Misuri) para niños
