09.20.2023

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Today’s Forecast

40º | Rain/snow mix | 98% chance of rain |
Sunrise: 7:37 a.m. | Sunset: 5:12 p.m.

🚃 Let’s get on track

Tracing the Kansas City trolley tracks’ 153 year history

This car was seen on the Walnut and Grand Line in 1870. | Photo courtesy of Kansas City Public Library

The KC Streetcar Main Street Extension is on course to be complete in 2025. This is the largest update since it opened in 2016, but the trolley line itself is no stranger to changing tracks.

All aboard — let’s trace the Kansas City trolley trails’ winding history, assisted by our conductor the Kansas City Public Library.

🐎 Horse-powered and cable cars

The first streetcars rolled into KC in 1870 and were literally horse-powered. Eight years later, New Yorker Robert Gillham arrived in KC and championed a cable car system. This made KC the third city in the US to have such a system.

The original system started at 9th Street at the Union Depot railway terminal in the West Bottoms and chugged all the way to Quality Hill. Gillham also drilled a cable car tunnel along 8th Street to connect downtown KC.

Due to his contributions, Gillham is regarded as the father of KC’s cable railway system and is who both Gillham Park and Gillham Road are named after.

8th Street Tunnel kansas city trolley history.jpeg — The construction of the 8th Street tunnel was regarded as an engineering feat.
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Photo courtesy of Kansas City Public Library

🚃 The electric era

Enter: Electricity. In 1885, Kansas Citian John C. Henry invented the electric cable car, which he called a trolley. Fun fact: This was the first time cable cars were referred to as trolleys.

By 1908, horse power and cable lines around KC were converted to electric trolleys — minus the 12th Street lines between Washington Street and the stockyards.

Wikimedia streetcar map 1870-1957 from the book A Splendid Ride The streetcars of Kansas City.jpeg — This map shows the streetcar lines from 1870-1957. Find it in the book “A Splendid Ride: The Streetcars of Kansas City.”
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Photo courtesy of Wikimedia Commons

Fast trolley facts:

At its peak, the system had 25 routes and 700+ streetcars.
The KC cable car system was the third largest in the country, only outpaced by San Francisco and Chicago.
In 1902, the cable car fare was five cents.

How the trolley trail ended

Asked

Which old KC trolley track would you like us to research?

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Events

Wednesday, Sept. 20

Live at Electric Park | Wednesday, Sept. 20 | 6-8 p.m. | J. Rieger, 2700 Guinotte Ave., Kansas City, MO | $0+ | Enjoy live music and cold drinks at this patio bar.

Thursday, Sept. 21

Open Mic | Thursday, Sept. 21 | 9:30 p.m. | The Comedy Club of Kansas City, 1130 W. 103rd St., Kansas City, MO | $5 | Show off your skills at this open mic night.

Friday, Sept. 22

Urban Neighborhood Initiative RECESS! Gala | Friday, Sept. 22 | 5-10 p.m. | College Basketball Experience, 1401 Grand Blvd., Kansas City, MO | $10 | Embrace your inner child while investing in urban neighborhood development.
Oktoberfest 2023 | Friday, Sept. 22-Sunday, Sept. 24 | Times vary | 13 SE 3rd St., Lee’s Summit, MO | Free | Grab your lederhosen + dirndl and join 120,000+ festival goers for food, live music, and family friendly fun.

Saturday, Sept. 23

Yoga at The Amphitheater | Saturday, Sept. 23, Saturday, Sept. 30 | 8-9 a.m. | Grandview Amphitheater, 13611 Byars Rd., Grandview, MO | Free | Enjoy the fresh morning air while channeling your inner zen.

Sunday, Sept. 24

Lei Away | Sunday, Sept. 24 | Hitides Coffee, 519 E. 18th St., Kansas City, MO | $35 | Check out this immersive experience that celebrates the tropical splendor within the Midwest and beyond.

Events calendar here

Click here to have your event featured.

Biz

Join the adventure — host a fun and unique event at BRKTHROUGH

a group of people sit at a high top table eating and laughing

BRKTHROUGH can help you hack whatever big event you have on your calendar. | Photo provided by BRKTHROUGH

Searching for an exciting venue for your next event or party? Look no further than BRKTHROUGH, a first-of-its-kind social entertainment experience in Kansas City.

BRKTHROUGH can accommodate groups of 15-200 guests, and offers a variety of event features, including:

Teamwork and competitive fun
Delicious food and drinks
Event space

Whether it’s an office team-building event, birthday celebration, bachelorette/bachelor party, holiday party, or a social get-together with a large crew, they’ll host an epic + memorable event.

Plan my party

News Notes

Older Adults

On Monday, Jackson County Legislature approved a senior citizen property tax credit. The credit can be claimed beginning in 2024 and will freeze property taxes at the 2023 rate for seniors ages 62+ with property valued less than $550,000. (KCUR)

Try This

The history-making Rock Island Bridge is nearing completion, and tickets for tours are now available. Tours of the work-in-progress are free and can be reserved on Saturday, Nov. 18. Secure your spot.

Ranked

Roesland Elementary School and Edgerton Elementary School were both named winners of the US Department of Education’s 2023 National Blue Ribbon School Awards. The award recognizes schools that are high performing or that are closing achievement gaps between students. (FOX4)

Announced

Starlight Theatre announced its 2024 AdventHealth Broadway Series which celebrates people who dare to be different. The show lineup includes cult classics like “Shrek,” “West Side Story,” and “Come From Away.” Season tickets start at $52.50.

Open

Bally’s Kansas City Casino officially opened Chickies and Petes for your game day pleasure. The sports bar’s signature menu includes crab fries, jumbo crab cakes, and lobster pie.

Transit

Meet us in St. Louie. Missouri Department of Transportation is planning to add a third daily round-trip Amtrak train service to St. Louis. If approved, it may also add connections to the St. Joseph and Springfield areas. The expansion would cost ~$114 million. (CityScene KC)

Biz

Time for a celly. KC-based biz Generator Studio is designing the Chicago Blackhawks hockey arena expansion. The $65 million project will add 135,000 sqft., feature an outdoor seating area, cafe + event space. Improvements begin in 2024 with a 2026 completion. (Kansas City Business Journal)

Finance

Refinance rates are skyrocketing. But home equity rates remain relatively low — which means that now is a great time to borrow against your home. Calculate your payment.*

Health

Menopausal symptoms can show up as early as your mid-30s. Test your hormones + walk through your results with a specialist with Wellcore’s $99 At-Home Assessment Kit.*

Seasonal

🎃 Pop into the pumpkin patch

KC Pumpkin Patch sprouts new surprises with its 20th anniversary

There’s pumpkins and wine galore. | Photos courtesy of KC Pumpkin Patch

It’s the mark of fall. KC Pumpkin Patch returns this Saturday, Sept. 23 for its 20th season. To celebrate the milestone, the family-run patch has cropped up new attractions including:

Grandparents Day | On Saturday, Sept. 23, Grandparents get in free with the purchase of any admission ticket.
Hard cider flights | Pick three KC Wine Co flavors for your flight. Choose between traditional, peach, strawberry, blackberry, and pineapple. (Non-alcoholic drinks will also be available.)
Paintball gallery | Shoot moving targets with a paintball gun.

The season runs Saturday, Sept. 23-Sunday, Oct. 29. Pop into the patch on Fridays from 10 a.m. to 8 p.m., Saturdays from 10 a.m. to 8 p.m. and Sundays from 10 a.m. to 6 p.m.

You can purchase tickets for $17.95 online or $24.95 at the door. Little pumpkins under two years old get in free.

Shop

Shop 9.20.23 (Affiliate + Six & Main)

Seasonal

Hello fall, we’re glad you’re here. Six & Main has everything you need this season from refreshing cocktails to cozy candles. Shop fall essentials.

Tech

Last week, Apple unveiled the Apple Watch 9 — which means you can get a great deal on the Apple Watch 8. Snag it for Amazon’s lowest price in 30 days.

Wellness

It doesn’t get more luxurious than the Drowsy sleep mask, which is silky smooth on skin and completely light-blocking for the deepest sleep.

Eat

The Bentgo stackable lunch box includes two stackable containers, built-in silverware, and dividers to snugly fit food portions into individual compartments.

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The Wrap

Today’s edition by:
Charmaine

From the editor

I’m back. I had a wonderful time off visiting my parents and in-loves (my husband’s family). I feel fully refreshed and ready to serve up some KC news.

Let me know if there’s something you think we should cover soon. I love hearing your ideas.

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