Kansas City History

Jesse James Jr., son of outlaw Jesse James, is second from left in the front row in this family picture taken at the family farm in the early 1900s.

Clay County’s Colorful History Left Some (Land)marks

Clay County, Missouri, has a rich and complex history, which will be remembered during this year’s bicentennial observance.

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A multi-colored mural of Osage Nation members against a light pink backdrop. This story outlines the erasure of one of the many Native American nations who resided on what we now know at Kansas City.

curiousKC | How the People Who Are Native to KC Lived, and Why Their Story Has Been Erased

The story of how Kansas City came to be often eliminates the story of the tribes who were forcibly removed. This is the story of the Osage Nation.

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Kansas City's Westside community has deep roots, that have a storied history tied to immigration. (Missouri Valley Special Collections | Kansas City Public Library)

curiousKC | (Kansas City’s) Westside Story

Kansas City’s Westside community has deep roots, that have ties to the story of immigration.

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One of the remaining original streets of Rattlebone Hollow.

curiousKC | Resurrecting Rattlebone Hollow

The curiousKC team explores the forgotten history of a Kansas City, Kansas, neighborhood that produced a famous boxer, at least two millionaires, and a man who barely missed becoming the first Black astronaut.

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Workers at the North American Aviation plant in the Fairfax Industrial District produced 6,680 B-25s during World War II.

Fairfax: An Enduring Legacy of Kansas City’s Industrial Might

The Fairfax Industrial District, a cornerstone of the Kansas City economy, is preparing to mark its centennial in 2022.

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Guadalupe Center in the 1940s. (Missouri Valley Special Collections | Kansas City Public Library)

curiousKC | A Roundup of Latinx Kansas City Stories

These are Kansas City’s Latino stories. What others should we explore?

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Muhammad Ali interviewed by reporters in London, England,

Muhammad Ali’s Brief Encounter With KC’s Rich Boxing Legacy

Muhammad Ali transfixed millions with his boxing, his braggadocio and, ultimately, his bravery in speaking out on the social issues of his time.

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Graystone Heights might be forgotten by some, but here's what we learned about the community. (Collage by Cami Koons | Flatland)

curiousKC | The Lost History of Greystone Heights

Greystone Heights once existed where Interstate 35 now sits. So, what happened?

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The Kansas City streetcar, then and now. (Image,leftt, from KSHB | Image, right, Ieshia Downton | Flatland)

curiousKC | Tracking Down KC’s Old Streetcars

What became of Kansas City’s original streetcars? This curiousKC quest left us with questions.

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curiousKC's May voting round focuses in on how Kansas City was shaped

curiousKC |Announcing August’s Voting Round

Which query piques your interest, Kansas City?

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