Waldo, Kansas City facts for kids

Waldo is a cool neighborhood in the southern part of Kansas City, Missouri. Even though it became part of Kansas City in 1909, it still has its own special feel. Waldo is located between Gregory Boulevard to the north and 91st Street to the south. It stretches from Troost Avenue on the east to State Line on the west.

The Story of Waldo

Early Days

In 1841, a man named David Waldo bought a lot of land in Jackson County, Missouri. He purchased about 1,000 acres (about 4 square kilometers). This land covered the area from what is now Gregory Boulevard to 91st Street, and from State Line Road to Holmes Road.

Trains and Growth

Around 1860, a train line was built between Westport and Dodson. A main stop on this line was in Waldo. Later, in 1907, these train lines were changed into streetcar lines. A special brick station was built in Waldo. People called it the Grand Central Station of Waldo.

In 1909, Waldo officially joined Kansas City. This move extended the city's southern border from 49th Street to 77th Street. Businesses started to grow around the station. Some of these included Elmer Family Grocery and Milen Drygoods. As Waldo continued to grow, it became a very important road for traffic in south Kansas City. By the 1930s, houses on Wornall Road south to 75th Street were replaced by new businesses.

Famous Landmarks

The Waldo Water Tower is a well-known building in the area. It is located near 75th Street and Holmes Road. This tower is so important that it is listed on the National Register of Historic Places. The Alexander Majors House is another local landmark that is also on the National Register of Historic Places.

Learning in Waldo

Waldo has a public library where you can borrow books. It is a branch of the Kansas City Public Library.

There are also several schools in Waldo:

• St. Elizabeth School is a private Catholic school. It opened in 1922. It teaches students from pre-school all the way up to 8th grade.
• Hale Cook Elementary is a public school in Waldo. It first opened in 1912. It closed for a while in 2009 but reopened in 2014. It now serves students from pre-school through 6th grade.
• Kansas City Academy is an independent school. It teaches students from 6th grade through 12th grade.