Timeline of Kansas City, Missouri facts for kids
Kansas City, Missouri, has a rich and exciting history! From its early days as a small settlement, it has grown into a major city with many important events and developments. Let's explore some of the key moments that shaped Kansas City over the years.
Early Days: The 1800s
Kansas City started as a small community. In 1838, it was first called the "Town of Kansas." By 1846, about 700 people lived here. The city's market was already busy in 1840.
In 1850, the area officially became a city and was named "City of Kansas." A few years later, in 1854, the region faced a tough time known as Bleeding Kansas. This was a period of conflict about whether the new state of Kansas would allow slavery.
The city continued to grow. In 1857, a Chamber of Commerce was started to help businesses. By 1860, the population had grown to 4,418 people. A big event during the American Civil War was the Battle of Westport on October 23, 1864.
Important changes happened after the war. In 1869, a railroad bridge opened over the Missouri River, making travel and trade much easier. By 1870, the city's population had jumped to 32,260.
In 1882, Kansas City got its first electric lights, thanks to KCP&L. This was a huge step forward! In 1889, the "City of Kansas" joined with a nearby town called Westport to form the larger "Kansas City" we know today. That same year, the Kansas City Public Library building opened, giving people a place to read and learn.
By 1890, the population had reached 132,716. New buildings like the Court House (1892) and City Hall (1893) were built, showing the city's growth.
The 1900s: A Century of Change
Early 1900s to 1940s
The 20th century began with more growth for Kansas City. In 1900, the city hosted the 1900 Democratic National Convention, a big political meeting. The population reached 163,752 that year.
In 1904, Children's Mercy Hospital opened, helping many young patients. The Kansas City Zoo opened in Swope Park in 1909, becoming a popular spot for families. By 1910, the population was 248,381.
A famous company, Hall Brothers (now Hallmark Cards), started in 1910. In 1914, the Federal Reserve Bank of Kansas City opened, and the impressive Union Station was rebuilt, becoming a major transportation hub.
In 1917, Rockhurst College opened its doors. A future president, Harry S. Truman, started a business here in 1919. By 1920, the city's population was 324,410.
Radio came to Kansas City in 1922 when WPE (now KMBZ) began broadcasting. In 1923, Fairyland Amusement Park opened, offering fun rides and games.
A special monument, the Liberty Memorial, was dedicated in 1926 to honor World War I veterans. It's a powerful reminder of history. The Downtown Airport also opened in 1927, with famous pilot Charles Lindbergh attending the dedication.
In 1931, the Kansas City Power and Light Building was built, adding to the city's skyline. A sad event, the Kansas City massacre, happened on June 17, 1933.
A very important moment for Kansas City came in 1945 when K.C. native Harry S. Truman became President of the United States after President Franklin Roosevelt passed away. Truman later won the Presidential election in 1948.
Mid-1900s to Late 1900s
The middle of the century brought challenges and new developments. In July 1951, the city experienced the Great Flood of 1951. In 1954, the Paseo Bridge opened, making it easier to cross the river.
In 1956, the first runway opened at Kansas City Industrial Airport, which is now known as KCI Airport. A powerful storm, the Ruskin Heights Tornado, hit in 1957.
The University of Missouri–Kansas City was established in 1963, providing more opportunities for higher education. Kansas City also started building "sister city" relationships with cities around the world, like Seville, Spain, in 1967.
Sports became a big part of the city's identity. In 1969, the Kansas City Royals baseball team was formed, and the Kansas City Chiefs football team won the Super Bowl! By 1970, the city's population reached 507,330.
The 1970s saw the opening of several major attractions. Crown Center opened in 1971, followed by Arrowhead Stadium in 1972, which became the home of the Chiefs. In 1973, Worlds of Fun amusement park opened, along with Kauffman Stadium (then called Royals Stadium), the home of the Royals. Kemper Arena opened in 1974. Sadly, Fairyland Amusement Park closed in 1977 after a windstorm caused a lot of damage.
A tragic event occurred on July 17, 1981, when the Hyatt Regency walkway collapse happened.
More fun places opened in the 1980s, like Oceans of Fun in 1982. In 1985, the Kansas City Royals won the World Series! The city also saw new tall buildings like the Town Pavilion (1986) and One Kansas City Place (1988).
In 1991, the historic Kansas City Stockyards closed. That same year, the Firefighters' Memorial Fountain was dedicated. The city also experienced another major flood, the Great Flood of 1993. The Bartle Hall Convention Center opened in 1994.
The 21st Century: Modern Kansas City
The new century brought more changes and growth to Kansas City. In 2001, the Kansas City SmartPort group was created to help with economic development.
In 2005, the Penn Valley skatepark opened, giving skateboarders a great place to ride. The Sprint Center (an arena) opened in 2007, hosting many concerts and events.
By 2010, the population was 459,787. The old Paseo Bridge was closed and taken down, replaced by the new Christopher S. Bond Bridge. In 2011, the beautiful Kauffman Center for the Performing Arts opened, providing a home for music and theater.
Kansas City became a very modern city in 2012 when Google Fiber internet service began. The Liberty Memorial was recognized as the National World War I Monument in 2014.
Sports continued to be a highlight! In 2015, the Kansas City Royals won the 2015 World Series again! In 2016, the KC Streetcar started service, making it easier to get around downtown.
The Kansas City Chiefs continued their winning ways, taking home the Super Bowl LIV trophy in 2020, and then winning again in Super Bowl LVII in 2023 and Super Bowl LVIII in 2024!
Kansas City continues to be a vibrant and growing city with a rich past and an exciting future!
