Long ago on independence square (Jennings, Lexington: agencies, photographers, pilgrim)

[Mad Anthonie]

If'n my feeble memory is functioning this morning, I think the K-Mart at 16200 E US 24 Highway opened prior to the Noland Road store.

[Mad Anthonie]

What event in Independence history had people standing in a line, 5-6 abreast, over 1/2 mile long, a line which lasted at least 36 hours?

[WCHS'59]

What is the name of the ten story tower on US 24 east of M-291 at Jennings Road?

I think that building started out as luxury apartments but may now be government housing?

I cannot recall what year of construction--maybe sixties--but I seem to recall there was some type of discussion during city council approval that the city did not have an aerial ladder that would reach the top floor should that building catch on fire.

Would be interesting to know if the city ever purchased an aerial truck to go that high. I think the city did but cannot recall.

[WCHS'59]

Originally Posted by Mad Anthonie

What event in Independence history had people standing in a line, 5-6 abreast, over 1/2 mile long, a line which lasted at least 36 hours?

Took place in 70s?

[Mad Anthonie]

Originally Posted by WCHS'59

What is the name of the ten story tower on US 24 east of M-291 at Jennings Road?

I think that building started out as luxury apartments but may now be government housing?

I cannot recall what year of construction--maybe sixties--but I seem to recall there was some type of discussion during city council approval that the city did not have an aerial ladder that would reach the top floor should that building catch on fire.

Would be interesting to know if the city ever purchased an aerial truck to go that high. I think the city did but cannot recall.

It was originally called Baptist Towers Apartments ( I'm not sure why). Today it is Independence Towers.

Independence Towers Apartments*- Welcome | Apartments - Independence, MO

[Mad Anthonie]

Originally Posted by WCHS'59

Took place in 70s?

Yup. Here is a photo I took of the line.

[WCHS'59]

Originally Posted by Mad Anthonie

It was originally called Baptist Towers Apartments ( I'm not sure why). Today it is Independence Towers.

Independence Towers Apartments*- Welcome | Apartments - Independence, MO

The largest apartment is 771 square feet but the price seems reasonable, at least compared to prices out here.

[WCHS'59]

Originally Posted by Mad Anthonie

Yup. Here is a photo I took of the line.

I was stationed in Thailand at the time but subscribing to the Examiner. So I was able to keep up, albeit a week later, with the detailed goings on. We did not have Armed Forces radio or TV in Thailand but there were three English language papers in Bangkok that provided very minimal information. And, unlike in Germany when Eisenhower died we did not have a formation anywhere to pay tribute. It was business as usual.

Temporary double bunks were set up wall to wall in the Truman gym and maybe elsewhere with troops from Fort Riley.

I recall that some of the troops were in awe because they had never seen so many hamburger joints in one place (Noland Road).

Others were taken aback by how large the city was compared to their previous thinking that Independence was a small town.

Another set of troops were grumbling because they were inconvenienced by having to come to Independence just to bury some old guy that was the president a long time ago, chuckle. I would imagine that not too many years later these same guys were spouting that they were on the Truman burial detail and probably fondly recalled their presence.

There was a major at Fort Riley whose duty was to call an Independence number (maybe the library) every morning when he got to work and find out the status of Truman. Whoever he was, he was the action officer who set the wheels in motion once the fort got the word that Truman had passed on.

[CaseyMO]

Originally Posted by Mad Anthonie

What event in Independence history had people standing in a line, 5-6 abreast, over 1/2 mile long, a line which lasted at least 36 hours?

My guess would be paying respects for some famous person.

[CaseyMO]

Originally Posted by Mad Anthonie

What a difference 6 years makes!

1957



1963



40 Highway is the diagonal street, 47th St runs across near the bottom. The eastern boundary is the MOPAC RR just west of Noland. Near the west side is Pittman Road.

What a difference two year make. I left for Germany in 1964 and no Interstate. When I returned in 1966, not only wasI-70 there, but Noland Road was developed pretty much to 40 Hiway.