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The designers of Kessler Park and Cliff Drive never underestimated the positive impact this improvement would exert upon the surrounding community's life. In fact, the primary purpose of Cliff Drive and the surrounding park was to make life better for the residents of the adjoining areas. Making " Kansas City a good place to live in" was the rallying cry around which the city's early champions garnered the support necessary to finance and construct the park and boulevard system. For over a hundred years Cliff Drive has served this purpose well functioning as a strong connecting physical link between the culturally diverse and unique communities which adjoin the corridor. These communities can be identified into the following seven distinct neighborhoods:
Columbus Park
The first is Columbus Park, located between Cliff Drive and Independence Avenue on the north to south, and between Tracy Avenue and Cherry Street on the east to west. Columbus Park is immediately adjacent the downtown district and is a center for travel in any direction being well served by the highway system. The neighborhood is made up of a large grouping of residents with diverse ethnic backgrounds working and living shoulder to shoulder, which has been traditional since the 1880's. The area has long welcomed newcomers and immigrants to Kansas City . Holy Rosary Church , built in 1901, is a neighborhood landmark with its mid-European architecture. Other turn-of-the-century architectural styles such as Victorian, Italianate, Georgian and Colonial Revival, as well as Bungalows and Shirtwaists, exist side-by-side with modern ranches and split-level homes. The neighborhood is unique in its mixture of businesses with residences. In the European tradition, there are small "mom and pop" businesses still existing in an area whose owners or proprietors live above the premises. Some of these businesses have been handed down generation to generation and others are more recently established.
Pendleton Heights
Located between Cliff Drive and Independence Boulevard on the north to south, and between Benton Boulevard and The Paseo on the east to west, Pendleton Heights is perched high on the bluffs through which Cliff Drive meanders. Pendleton Heights shares with Cliff Drive the panoramic views of the Missouri River and downtown Kansas City . One will find here the largest concentration of pre-1900 Queen Anne and Chateauesque-style Victorian homes in the city. The neighborhood has recently been designated an historic district which ensures that the majority of the 19th century homes will be preserved. An annual homes tour is held each fall which provides an opportunity for the public to view some of the historical homes which have been rehabilitated. Young professionals, families and singles of every race live here, creating a culturally diverse living experience.
Independence Plaza
This neighborhood is located between 1-70 and Independence Boulevard on the north to south, and between Benton Boulevard and Brooklyn Avenue on the east to west. It is a diverse residential area bordering the city's downtown district. Residents are open-minded and demonstrate a concern for others. The housing is varied in style, size and cost. Many homes are, or are in the process of, rehabilitation. Architectural styles include Victorian, Italianate, Georgian, and Colonial Revival, along with traditional Bungalows and Shirtwaists. Independence Plaza 's greatest asset is its residents, who come from all occupations, professions, ages and ethnic backgrounds. Together they create a socially, racially, and economically integrated neighborhood.
Scarritt Renaissance
The neighborhood is located between Independence Boulevard and Cliff Drive on the north to south, and between Jackson Avenue and Chestnut Trafficway on the east to west. Scarritt Renaissance derives its name from Methodist minister Reverend Nathan Scarritt who moved to the area during the Civil War to avoid the growing hostilities of border warfare in nearby Westport . In 1886, Scarritt's land, near the cliffs overlooking the Missouri River, was annexed into Kansas City and he began selling parcels to be platted. By 1893, the Scarritt family had sold and donated a significant portion of the lands for North Terrace Park and Cliff Drive . The majority of residential development occurred from 1887 to 1911. These homes embody a wide variety of architectural styles including Beaux-Arts, Chateauesque, Queen Anne, Mission Style, Georgian Revival, Shingle Style, and Victorian Eclectic, as well as Shirtwaist and Bungalow. The parks and boulevard system was a primary motivating factor in the construction of ornate mansions along Gladstone and Benton Boulevards. The area features the work of many noted architects. The area is also home to the Robert A. Long Mansion , now in use by the Kansas City Museum . Many of the homes are rehabilitated or in the process of rehabilitation. The neighborhood is a designated historic district and has an annual homes tour open to the public. Homeowners take great pride in ownership here.
Lykins
The neighborhood is located between Truman Road and Independence Boulevard from south to north and between the Kansas City Terminal Railway and Benton Boulevard from east to west. The Lykins neighborhood is filled with a variety of architectural styles from oldest to newest. Of particular interest are several "Kansas City Porches" which appear on turn-of-the-century apartment buildings, the comfortable Shirtwaist style homes constructed from 1910 to 1930, and 1920 to 1940 style Bungalows. Housing is varied with something for nearly every taste, income and family size. Many homes have been or are in the process of rehabilitation. Homeowners are proud of their ownership and readily offer helpful advice and assistance to newcomers. Lykins was named after Dr. Johnston Lykins, the first legal mayor of Kansas City .
Indian Mound
The neighborhood is located between Independence Avenue and Gladstone Boulevard from south to north and between Jackson Avenue and Belmont Boulevard from east to west. The neighborhood was named after the historic Indian Mound at the eastern end of Gladstone Boulevard . The Indian Mound neighborhood was settled around 1900 and many of the early residents worked at various jobs in the railroad yards below the bluffs to the north. There still remain portions of well worn foot paths through Kessler Park leading from the neighborhood to the rail yards that workers used going to and from work. The neighborhood is diverse, and family oriented with a strong work ethic. There exist a variety of architectural styles such as Georgian and Colonial Revival, as well as traditional Bungalow and Shirtwaist. Many homes have been rehabilitated or are in the process of rehabilitation.
Sheffield
The neighborhood is located between 12th Street and Wilson Road from south to north and between Winchester and the Kansas City Terminal Railway from east to west. Sheffield was founded in the late 1800's by local steelworkers and their families who settled in the area and worked in nearby steel mills. The work ethic so prevalent at the time the steelworkers moved to the area remains strong today. The Sheffield Neighborhood residents have retained a conservative nature with strong family commitments. There exists a small-town atmosphere and ethnic diversity is commonplace. Housing is varied with architectural styles including classic Shirtwaists, Bungalows and Ranches of all sizes and descriptions.
CREDITS
Written by: Kansas City, Missouri Board of Parks & Recreation Commissioners
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