Long ago on independence square (Kansas City, Liberty: sale, neighborhood, club)

[Mad Anthonie]

In the past we have discussed street names that were used multiple times in different parts of town. Most of you are familiar with Hayward, which runs west from Lee's Summit Road (formerly Kiger). Back in the late 1950s there was another Hayward. Where was it?

[Mad Anthonie]

Originally Posted by Mad Anthonie

In the past we have discussed street names that were used multiple times in different parts of town. Most of you are familiar with Hayward, which runs west from Lee's Summit Road (formerly Kiger). Back in the late 1950s there was another Hayward. Where was it?

Hayward Avenue is shown on the 1959 map running east off of River one block north of Silver Lane.

[MRG Dallas]

Originally Posted by Mad Anthonie

Hayward Avenue is shown on the 1959 map running east off of River one block north of Silver Lane.

Where's WCHS been? That question was "right up his alley"

[WCHS'59]

Originally Posted by MRG Dallas

Where's WCHS been? That question was "right up his alley"

I have it on good authority that the long Hayward street was named after Susan and the short Hayward street was named after Louis.

[Mad Anthonie]

Originally Posted by WCHS'59

I have it on good authority that the long Hayward street was named after Susan and the short Hayward street was named after Louis.

That warrants an explanation! Who were/are Susan and Louis?

[WCHS'59]

Originally Posted by Mad Anthonie

That warrants an explanation! Who were/are Susan and Louis?

Famous movie stars................................

[Mad Anthonie]

Originally Posted by WCHS'59

Famous movie stars................................

Oh them! I think I went to school with one of them.

[bigmexan]

The railroad tracks ran behind what is Sav-a-Lot at Truman and Sterling. The crossover bridge went over Sterling just to the south end of the Burnup Equipment Co. ran NW towards Carlisle School and spurred someplace because the line came out by where B&G Roller Rink was on Northern and went by Crisp Lake over by Rost/Dahmer Chevrolet and continued behind Western Auto and joined up at the Wilson Rd junction. Going back East from Sterling the RR tracks went behind the Trolley Drive In and Milk Jug. From there I cant remember HOW it ran. I vaguely remember it MAY have crossed Truman about where Pollys Soda Pop was .. The majority of remnants of the RR tracks are long gone except in a few spots.

[Mad Anthonie]

Originally Posted by bigmexan

The railroad tracks ran behind what is Sav-a-Lot at Truman and Sterling. The crossover bridge went over Sterling just to the south end of the Burnup Equipment Co. ran NW towards Carlisle School and spurred someplace because the line came out by where B&G Roller Rink was on Northern and went by Crisp Lake over by Rost/Dahmer Chevrolet and continued behind Western Auto and joined up at the Wilson Rd junction. Going back East from Sterling the RR tracks went behind the Trolley Drive In and Milk Jug. From there I cant remember HOW it ran. I vaguely remember it MAY have crossed Truman about where Pollys Soda Pop was .. The majority of remnants of the RR tracks are long gone except in a few spots.

That was the Independence-Kansas City Air Line RR, which later became part of Kansas City Southern RR. I have a several maps covering that route.

This one is from 1904. Later an additional small section of track was added at Northern forming a triangle. That allowed trains from either end to also go up the spur into Sugar Creek.


There are several locations along that route that the roadbed is still evident, if'n you have a keen eye and know where to look.

[ChuckWC75]

Mad, your rail map reminds me of another question I have been meaning to ask. This concerns the area within a block or two north of the old Air-line depot on the square. In the late 60's (67-69) someone attempted to open a night club of sorts called the Purple Paisley Pomegranate. Yep, not making that up. It was referred to a being a place for "love-ins" as reflective of the times. It was in an ancient, decrepit, free standing building on the east side of, and facing, Osage. I think maybe it was directly across from the bowling alley. We would pass it on our way to Cochran's record shop. Does anyone recall this business? I don't think we ever saw people near it and possibly it never opened. I am curious as to what the building might have originally been used for as it was considerably older looking than anything else on the square. Might it have been part of the old Air-line facilities? The building was eventually torn down and that area became a parking lot. BTW, I also remember our neighborhood's parents trying 1) to figure out exactly what a "love-in" was, and 2) trying to explain it to their pre-teen kids. Great fun.