Long ago on independence square (Kansas City, Liberty: tomatoes, theater, school)

[WCHS'59]

Originally Posted by Mad Anthonie

Other progressive events from that year include:

The erection of the Y.M.C.A. Building

Electric lights

Eden Park

Well, I lived in Eden Park, so I will say 1901.

[Wiskyvet]

Originally Posted by WCHS'59

Have a good Thanksgiving everyone. Wild turkeys are supposed to be prolific in many places nowadays. Was just wondering if there were any wild turkeys anywhere within the city limits or near to it in Independence.

There is a rafter (had to look that one up) of turkeys that hang out along M291 just North of 39th St. They will be anywhere from there all the way East along the railroad right-of-way to the Little Blue River. I've seen as many as 30 in one rafter.

I was also sad to see an injured deer in the middle of M291 last night, just crouched there in the middle of one of the lanes. Doesn't bother me to see them dead or whatnot, but injured... Luckily a cop was there blocking the lane with his spotlight on her. She probably doesn't have much of a future, especially when our finest can't even tolerate cement alligators

U.S. police shoot fake alligator | Reuters

[WCHS'59]

Originally Posted by Wiskyvet

There is a rafter (had to look that one up) of turkeys that hang out along M291 just North of 39th St. They will be anywhere from there all the way East along the railroad right-of-way to the Little Blue River. I've seen as many as 30 in one rafter.

I was also sad to see an injured deer in the middle of M291 last night, just crouched there in the middle of one of the lanes. Doesn't bother me to see them dead or whatnot, but injured... Luckily a cop was there blocking the lane with his spotlight on her. She probably doesn't have much of a future, especially when our finest can't even tolerate cement alligators

U.S. police shoot fake alligator | Reuters

I recall seeing that about the Independence police shooting the concrete alligator in the local paper here in Colorado.

Believe it or not, this photo shows a few of the 400 plus alligators in Colorado living outdoors year round just north of US 160 in a place called Mosca, which is near the Great Sand Dunes National Park. The alligators live at 7,500 feet elevation or about 2,500 feet higher than Denver. The water is from thermal springs and all of the alligators are fenced in. The alligators act as garbage disposers for a commercial fish growing and processing farm.

[Mad Anthonie]

Originally Posted by WCHS'59

Well, I lived in Eden Park, so I will say 1901.

Close, but not close enough! The clue probably refers to the beginning of Eden Park, perhaps when it was platted.

[WCHS'59]

Originally Posted by Mad Anthonie

Close, but not close enough! The clue probably refers to the beginning of Eden Park, perhaps when it was platted.

An alternative would be 1887.

[Mad Anthonie]

Originally Posted by WCHS'59

An alternative would be 1887.

Close enough to 1888 to declare you the winner!

Other notables from that year included the new Presbyterian Church, the Latter Day Saints church, grading of the streets, the Court House Annex, and several hundred new residences (many of which are of the most elegant character).

All of this information was found in the introduction to the first Independence telephone directory published in 1889.

[WCHS'59]

We did not have "paved" roads in Eden Park subdivision when I was growing up. We had chip and seal roads, which is technically considered paving, although there would be a lot of argument about that from the then local residents. The process involves grading, oiling and chip rocking. Much better than dirt or gravel but no where near asphalt.

Paving of the streets in Eden Park with asphalt came years later.

Does anyone know if there are any dirt roads, any gravel roads, or any chip and seal roads left within the city limits of Independence? Or, within Jackson County for that matter?

[WCHS'59]

Independence did not operate an electric generating plant until 1901 when bonds were passed for the Dodgion Street plant.

The city had some street lights at the end of the 1880s, presumably using Westinghouse's AC rather than Edison's DC.

Where did the electricity come from?

[WCHS'59]

In 1963, the city of Independence conducted a special census at a significant cost for the time. This may have been the only time in city history that this happened.

What was the purpose of this special census?

[WCHS'59]

The 1960 federal census showed 34 outhouses in the city of Independence, including one across the street from where I lived.


Without a doubt, those privies would be gone by now and I would suspect there might even be an ordinance against having one.