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A Tale of Two Kansas Cities
The story of two cities with the same name. Most of the U.S. may not know the difference between Kansas City, Kansas, and Kansas City, Missouri – they may not even know that there are two Kansas Cities! However, when you ask a Kansas City area resident, they’ll tell you there’s a stark contrast between the two.
Although KC area residents tend to know the exact differences between the two cities – oftentimes down to the difference in road construction – most don’t know how both cities ended with the same name. Click HERE for more Fun Facts about Kansas City.
The Man Who Started it All
During the 19th century, John Calvin McCoy became the “Father of Kansas City” when he purchased farmland near a trading post called West Port in Missouri.
In doing so, McCoy started the Town of Kansas, which was named after the Kansas River and the Kansa Indians, also known as the Kaw people.
In 1853, the City of Kansas was officially incorporated in Missouri, a whole year before Kansas was even established as a territory.
When Kansas gained its statehood in 1861, the City of Kansas in Missouri was already thriving. To avoid confusion, the City of Kansas changed its name to Kansas City.
Another Kansas City
According to historical folklore, Kansas gathered small areas in Wyandotte County and deemed the area Kansas City for two reasons. The first was to try and profit off Kansas City, Missouri’s (KCMO) success, which worked.
Because KCMO was booming and rapidly growing in population and economic wealth, it’s believed that Kansas City, Kansas (or KCK) wanted some of that wealth and growth.
The multiple names confused visitors and industries alike, and still does at times, which allowed KCK to gain more money and expand, much like KCMO.
The second supposed reason for the two Kansas Cities is jealousy. It’s rumored the residents of Kansas were angered with Missouri and KCMO. In the eyes of Kansas residents, Missouri had taken the name of their state and used it, and created a wealthy successful city.
So Kansas City, Kansas was born and centered just a few short miles away from Kansas City, Missouri. The two cities still stand today, have maintained their historical roots, and are separated by State Line Road that hovers over the Kansas-Missouri border.
The Cities Today
Today, KCMO is the largest city in Missouri with a population of more than 488,000 people, and KCK grows with a population of more than 150,000. Both cities combined create the Kansas City Metropolitan area, with a population of more than two million.
Although completely distinct from one another, the residents of both KCs share a passion for second-to-none barbeque, craft beer, various sports teams, and a deep love for their respective city.
As the Kansas City metro area continues to expand in culture, wealth, and population, it becomes a great place to call home.
Discover more about Kansas City, Missouri and Kansas City, Kansas and find your next home in the Kansas City Metro area!
7 Fun Facts About Kansas City
1. Downtown Kansas City has experienced more than $6.5 billion in commercial, residential, and hotel development in the last 10 years.
- Streetcar
- Kauffman Center for the Performing Arts
- JE Dunn Construction Headquarters
2. KC “ignored” prohibition in the 1920s, leading to an abundance of jazz clubs, brothels, and gambling halls. KC even earned the moniker “Paris of the Plains” after one journalist wrote, “If you want to see some gin, forget Paris and head to Kansas City.”
- If there’s one thing we love more than baseball and BBQ, it’s alcohol. No shame.
3. Located in the heart of the country, Kansas City is only a three-hour flight from either coast.
4. At 142.2 decibels, the crowd at Arrowhead Stadium the Guinness World Record for loudest stadium on the planet.
5. Walt Disney opened his first animation studio Kansas City – Laugh-O-Gram Studios – where he fed a small rodent that lived in his office that became the inspiration for Mickey Mouse.
6. The city of Kansas City touts:
- 220 parks
- 134 miles of trails and bikeways
- 29 lakes
- 103 Playgrounds
- 119 monuments
Not to mention more than 200 fountains… the most in the world outside of Rome, Italy.
7. Each March, Kansas City hosts more college basketball games than anywhere else in the country.
KC Restaurants Featured on Food Network
Kansas City is filled with foodie favorites and gastro pleasing goodies. While many are only known to locals, we’ve been fortunate to have others showcased nationally on the Food Network.
Diners, Drive-Ins, and Dives
Grinders
Grinders is an eclectic, local pizza place with a cult-like following. With its original location in the Kansas City Crossroads District, Grinders is known as the place “where food, art, and music collide.” When featured on Diners, Drive-Ins, and Dives, host Guy Fieri had this to say about Grinders, “Sculptor-turned-pizza-slinger Stretch has brought his creative touch to Grinders. Hand-welded Army helmet lamps hang above the bar, which features a draft-beer tower made from an oxygen tank. As for the pizza menu, Stretch churns out creative pies like the Bengal Tiger, which is slicked with pesto sauce and studded with tandoori chicken, crabmeat and hearts of palm. Funkalicious.”
Happy Gillis Cafe & Hangout
In December of 2013, husband and wife, Josh and Abbey-Jo purchased the Happy Gillis Cafe & Hangout out of a love of the area and a desire to speak to their community through a common language – food. Guy Fieri showcased this local cafe in the Columbus Park KC neighborhood on Diners, Drive-Ins, and Dives, and had this to say about it, “Not your typical run-of-the-mill soup and sandwich shop, Happy Gillis Cafe is owned by a husband-and-wife duo known for flank steak sandwiches marinated in cola and wine. It’s so outside the box.'”
Smokin’ Guns BBQ
What started out as Phil and Linda Hopkins’ love of BBQ and a desire to compete in BBQ contests led to world championships, the creation of their own dry rub and the decision to open their own BBQ restaurant – Smokin’ Guns BBQ. In a city saturated with world-class BBQ, Guy Fieri chose Smokin’ Guns to be featured on Diners, Drive-Ins, and Dives and was blown away by this North KC joint. “Those not in the know might drive right by Smokin’ Guns BBQ in North Kansas City’s industrial district, but they would miss what Guy calls “one killer brisket.” Helmed by Phil Hopkins and his wife, Linda, the eatery boasts ‘competition-worthy’ ‘cue that has earned more than 400 awards to date.”
The Brick
The Brick is another eatery entry in the Crossroads District. It’s billed as a ‘straight-up’ no-frills bar with history, a burger-plus menu, live music, and performance. Guy Fieri seemed quite impressed during his time there taping an episode of Diners, Drive-Ins, and Dives. ” What else can you ask for besides a music venue with homemade food? Guy says, “they don’t skimp on the goodness at this pub-grub joint,” and would you want them to? This is where you want to go to hear music, have a meatloaf sandwich and have a good night.”
5 Midwest Day Trips to Take When You Gotta Get Out of Town
Whether you’ve lived in the Kansas City area all your life, just a short time, or somewhere in-between, you really can’t help but fall in love with it. Everything really could ever want is here… big city amenities, an exciting nightlife scene, highly livable suburbs, major league sports, arts, and culture… this list goes on.
But even in a city that offers so much, sometimes you just have to get outta town. They say ‘absence makes the heart grow fonder’. So, getting away, even for just a quick day can be a healthy way to get a short change of scenery while getting to come home to KC.
When you get that urge to hit the road, stretch your legs, and see the sights, consider these five ‘close-to-home’ destinations.
Jamesport, MO
Jamesport is only about 90 miles from Kansas City, but it feels more like 150 years. Jamesport is home to the largest Old Order Amish settlement west of the Mississippi River, and its inhabitants live their lives largely like they are in the 1850s.
While they root their lifestyle in a simpler and less advanced time, the Jamesport Amish welcome visitors from all walks of modern life with open arms. They open their home-based shops to visitors and sell the finest old-world wares, from baskets and furniture to basked and dry goods.
Topeka, KS
Topeka is the capital city of Kanas, the seat of Shawnee County, and a worthwhile day trip. It’s a little cliche to say it has something for everyone, but it really does. From history buffs and outdoors enthusiasts to shopanistas and lovers of art and culture, Topeka offers an eclectic blend of attractions and activities to satisfy a variety of tastes.
History
- A 1908 vintage carousel at Gage Park
- Evel Knievel Museum
- Brown vs. Board of Education National Historic Site
- Kansas State House
Outdoor Adventure
Shopping
Arts Culture
Lawrence, KS
This first thing that springs to mind when you think of Lawrence, KS is probably the University of Kansas, and with good reason. It’s a highly respected college with a basketball pedigree second to none. But, all that makes Lawrence such a special city isn’t just defined by what’s on the court or on the campus. There’s so much more to see and do in Lawrence and at just a short 40 miles away, a day trip to this bustling little college town is a must-do.
It’s hard to believe so much fun, culture, excitement, and deliciousness is packed into the 34 square miles that bound Lawrence and you’ve really got to see it to believe it! Really, an entire blog (or 2 or 3 or more) could be dedicated to Lawrence day trips, but until then, here are a few of the main things you must experience.
Mass Street
Massachusetts or Mass Street, as it is known to locals, is the ‘main street’ in Lawrence, and it is almost as storied and beloved as Jayhawks hoops… almost. Lined with boutiques, cafes, restaurants, parks and live music venues, Mass Street isn’t just the city’s main artery, it is its heartbeat.
KU Natural History Museum
As a major component of the KU Biodiversity Institute, the Natural History Museums exists to serve the study of “the life of the planet for the benefit of Earth and its inhabitants”. It boasts four floors of exhibits and covers animal life on Earth from parasites and microbes to dinosaurs, including a massive natural history diorama that dates back to the 1893 World’s Fair.
Favorite Haunts
Lawrence is known as a hotbed of sorts for supernatural activity. In the two main characters in the TV show Supernatural, brothers Sam and Dean Winchester are from Lawrence. Several locales around Lawrence have reportedly experienced spiritual activity and are often included among must-see site for ghost groupies and self-proclaimed paranormal enthusiasts.
Eldridge Hotel
The spirit of Col. Shalor Eldridge has been felt and reported many times over the years in the hotel. After rebuilding the hotel twice after it was burnt down on two separate occasions, it’s clear he had a strong attachment to it during his life and simply couldn’t abandon it in the afterlife. They say room 506 holds particularly strong connections to the Colonel. It houses the hotel’s original cornerstone which many believe is actually a portal to the spirit world. If you visit, look for a picture on the front desk which may or may not show a spectral being in the elevator.
Sigma Nu Frat House
Originally built as the Governor’s mansion for William Stubbs, this house has experienced supernatural phenomena over several decades. Witnesses have reported encounters with a female spirit. Legend holds that the spirit belongs to Virginia, a former servant, and rumored mistress of Governor Stubbs. Virginia hung herself in the Governor’s mansion and many think her soul is not at rest and that she haunts the home to this day.
Stull Cemetary
While not in Lawrence itself, it is close enough to include, especially as a short side trip while exploring supernatural sites in the area. Located in the small, nearly forgotten town of Stull, KS, the city’s cemetery is the site of reports about not just otherworldly encounters, but downright demonic ones. Mixed among anecdotes shared by frightened visitors to the old cemetery are reports that this place of eternal rest is no mere graveyard but in fact one of the seven gates to Hell. Old stories that have been told as far back as the 1850s say the Devil appears at the cemetery twice a year. Once on Halloween and once on the Spring Equinox.
Louisburg, KS
This is one of the closer day trip destinations on this list. Louisburg may not be over-saturated with things to do, but for this small city that covers just over six square miles of land, it’s about quality, not quantity. The first thing people think of about Louisburg is the Louisburg Cider Mill. The Mill exudes the charm of eras gone-by, and evokes the feelings of a turn-of-the-century farmstead. But in truth, it only came into existence a little over 40 years ago, in the Spring of 1977.
What started as a small family business created to produce and sell apple cider has grown into a regional attraction that attracts visitors year-round from across the Midwest. The Louisburg Cider Mill hosts events almost every month of the year, but the biggest is hands down, Ciderfest. If you really want to get to a feel for what this cider mill means to the region, make plans to attend this annual event. There’s plenty to see, do, try, and eat, but no visit would be complete without visiting their country store to enjoy a hot cider and a cider donut.
If you’re looking for something a little more exotic in the heart of rural Kansas, look no further than Cedar Cove big cat sanctuary. You don’t have to go to a big zoo to see some of nature’s most majestic animals. Cedar Cove offers an intimate look at and an in-depth education about endangered large cats, including tigers, lions, leopards, pumas, panthers, and more.
Weston, MO
We saved Weston for last because it seems to be a consensus top pick for Best Day trip:
Voted #1 Best Day Trip 15 years running! – Ingram’s Magazine
Voted Best Day Trip – The Pitch
Voted Favorite Day Trip – Visit KC Visitors Choice Award
Voted Best Day Trip & Beautiful Town- Rural Missouri Magazine
Whether you want to raise up a glass or ski down a hill, you’ll find a fun activity that’s perfect for you in Weston. Visiting Weston is like being served up a heaping slice of American heritage. It’s colloquially known as ‘the town that time forgot’, but don’t let that evoke images of abandoned buildings, shuttered homes and tumbleweeds rolling down Main Street. It means that while this historic town – which was once a stopover point for Lewis and Clark’s exploration party – has grown into a bustling destination city, it keeps much of the charm and tradition of its 1850s origin.
The best way to discover all the unique charm and impressive attractions Weston offers is to take the short 40-minute drive north and experience it for yourself, but here is a – by no means, exhaustive – list of things worth checking out.
- Lewis & Clark Exhibit on Main Street
- Weston Historical Museum
- Coal House Saloon
- Green Dirt Farm Creamery
- Jowler Creek Vineyard and Winery
- Snow Creek Ski Resort
- The Farmer’s House Market
- Weston Brewing Company America Bowman Restaurant
- Upstairs Tea Room
- 1837 Emporium
- Jeff’s Architectural Salvage
