Long ago on independence square (Kansas City, Lee's Summit: houses, college, closing)

[Mad Anthonie]

Today's mystery photo is from 1982...

[WCHS'59]

Originally Posted by Mad Anthonie

Today's mystery photo is from 1982...

I will pass and let MRG or one of the newer guys answer this one...

[MRG Dallas]

Originally Posted by WCHS'59

I will pass and let MRG or one of the newer guys answer this one...

I don't know it but this is probably from MADs album recording the "before" of either 291 or LS Rd.

This photo seems somewhat familiar from a previous entry, given the former bridge over the RR tracks.

[Mad Anthonie]

Originally Posted by MRG Dallas

I don't know it but this is probably from MADs album recording the "before" of either 291 or LS Rd.

This photo seems somewhat familiar from a previous entry, given the former bridge over the RR tracks.

You are on the right track, it is from one of my "before" series. Please narrow it down a bit.

[CaseyMO]

Originally Posted by Mad Anthonie

Today's mystery photo is from 1982...

How about the future Queen City Park?

1982?

Oops! Scratch that answer.

[WCHS'59]

Originally Posted by CaseyMO

How about the future Queen City Park?

1982?

Oops! Scratch that answer.

CaseyMO,

The concerned area is about 2.6 miles from your childhood home in somewhat of a straight line.

[CaseyMO]

Originally Posted by WCHS'59

CaseyMO,

The concerned area is about 2.6 miles from your childhood home in somewhat of a straight line.

Well, that doesn't help me. I had moved out of state by 1982 and I just cannot place those houses.

On a different note, M.O Johnson was going to attend our class reunion last September, but he did not feel up to it when the day arrived. We did have two coaches who attended. Summa and Dick Bruch, WCHS track coach.

[WCHS'59]

Originally Posted by CaseyMO

Well, that doesn't help me. I had moved out of state by 1982 and I just cannot place those houses.

On a different note, M.O Johnson was going to attend our class reunion last September, but he did not feel up to it when the day arrived. We did have two coaches who attended. Summa and Dick Bruch, WCHS track coach.

Gee whiz. Over 100 and wanting to attend a reunion, chuckle.

I recall Summa but not Bruch.

Over twenty years before the photo and perhaps four blocks away from the site of the photo and in the direction the bridge abutment is heading to go over the tracks was where Charley Finley threatened to spend $1 million [a lot of money back then] to build a temporary baseball stadium for the Kansas City Athletics. He figured that cost would cover bleachers, rest rooms, and a playing field. There was enough room for parking to boot. He felt his contract with the city of Kansas City for using municipal stadium had become unfair due to the declining attendance. He threatened to keep the team in KC but pursue a site for a different stadium.

I think the rhetoric went on for this site (and others in the metro area) for maybe six months or so. It seemed like the Independence site was leading the pack. I know I was quite excited about this location, but eventually he did get a more favorable contract and the temporary stadium in Independence appeared to be just a ploy.

Edit: the date may have been around '64.

[WCHS'59]

Originally Posted by WCHS'59

Gee whiz. Over 100 and wanting to attend a reunion, chuckle.

I recall Summa but not Bruch.

Over twenty years before the photo and perhaps four blocks away from the site of the photo and in the direction the bridge abutment is heading to go over the tracks was where Charley Finley threatened to spend $1 million [a lot of money back then] to build a temporary baseball stadium for the Kansas City Athletics. He figured that cost would cover bleachers, rest rooms, and a playing field. There was enough room for parking to boot. He felt his contract with the city of Kansas City for using municipal stadium had become unfair due to the declining attendance. He threatened to keep the team in KC but pursue a site for a different stadium.

I think the rhetoric went on for this site (and others in the metro area) for maybe six months or so. It seemed like the Independence site was leading the pack. I know I was quite excited about this location, but eventually he did get a more favorable contract and the temporary stadium in Independence appeared to be just a ploy.

Edit: the date may have been around '64.

Looks like it was toward the end of '63 as his lease expired on December 31 of that year.

Charley Finley:
“I will rent a cow pasture and put up temporary stands for the team to use next year. I’m talking about renting or leasing about 300 acres of land and building a temporary stadium with bleacher-type seats, lights and all modern facilities. It probably would cost me a million dollars, but I’m willing to do that if necessary.”

[MRG Dallas]

Originally Posted by WCHS'59

Looks like it was toward the end of '63 as his lease expired on December 31 of that year.

Charley Finley:
“I will rent a cow pasture and put up temporary stands for the team to use next year. I’m talking about renting or leasing about 300 acres of land and building a temporary stadium with bleacher-type seats, lights and all modern facilities. It probably would cost me a million dollars, but I’m willing to do that if necessary.”

He was a freakin' oddball

A friend in Philly yesterday told me it was SIXTY years ago that day, the A's played their last game in Philadelphia. The next year they would be in KC, whereupon they'd become a "farm team" for the Yankees