Would You Ever Imagine?

January 07, 2011

I have driven by this location on 24 highway over and over again as I go to meetings at the Library's headquarters.  The Truman Library sits on a hill, and there is a park on the South side of the road.  It is close to Mid-Continent's North Independence Branch and a fire station.  The road and the park are idyllic; a nice place to eat lunch and enjoy a nice day.

A new book we have received at the library titled Kansas City Chronicles by David W. Jackson, tells the story of this neighborhood, formerly known as "the Neck".  At one time, it was on the edge of Kansas City and contained some of the poorest housing for over 125 Independence residents. In the 1960's, the people were relocated and the neighborhood was redesigned in an urban renewal project.

This book, written by the director of Archives and Education for the Jackson County Historical Society, tells interesting stories of the area’s history in short, concise sections.  The book also has a detailed index for locating information.  Some of the stories tell about Nelly Don, the Big Blue River, Alexander Major, Mount Washington Cemetery, and the first car to drive Kansas City streets.

This is a fun and interesting book that tells the stories of places we drive by day after day and really don't think about.  It can be read in small bites and enjoyed in tale after tale. Historical pictures add to the enjoyment. Request your copy today, and take a trip through the area's history.

Howard B.
Dearborn Branch