History of Kansas City, Missouri
Kansas is the largest city in Missouri. In 2017 census, the city had an estimated population of 488,943 making it the 37th most inhabited city in the nation. The city was founded as a Missouri River port converged with the Kansas River in the 1830s. it got its name from the Kansa or Kaw people who had the most population in the now known as the state of Kansas.
Founding
The City of Kansas was incorporated as a town on June 1, 1850. On March 28, 1853, it was incorporated as a city. It was held as a good place to form settlements.
Exploration and Settlement
Etienne de Veniard, Sieur de Bourgmont was the first recorded European explorer. He left his position as fort commander after he was criticized for his reaction to the Native American assault on Fort Detroit. He had a Native American wife and lived in a village 90 miles east of Brunswick, Missouri. There he illegally sold furs.
In 1763, the Spanish seized the region in the Treaty of Paris. However, the scope of its jurisdiction is no more than taxing and licensing Missouri River ship traffic. The City of Kansas, with its newly elected mayor, was established on February 22, 1853. The boundary stretches from the middle of the Missouri River South to Ninth Street, and from Bluff Street on the west side to somewhere between Holmes Road and on the east Charlotte Street. |
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American Civil War
Hostility was rampant in Kansas City before the U.S. Civil War. Kansas' appeal to enter the Union as a free territory that disapproves slavery was a success. At the time of the Civil War, Kansas and its neighboring communities were the centers of military activity. The First Battle of Independence followed in a Confederate States Army victory. However, the Confederates failed to optimize their win as Kansas was laid siege by the Union troops.
Post-Civil War
Kansas grew fast after the Civil War. The city's selection over Leavenworth, Kansas for the Hannibal and St. Joseph Railroad Bridge over the Missouri River brought forth substantial changes. The opening of the bridge designed by Octave Chanute resulted in an increase of population after 1869. Also added to Kansas City's development was the establishment of innovative Country Club Plaza in 1925.
21st Century
Massive reconstruction in the Kansas City occurred in the 21st century. A budget of $6 billion was allotted for the development of the city area of Missouri. One of the many projects was the redevelopment of the Power and Light District which had a goal of drawing tourists, laborers, and residents to the metropolitan side of Kansas City.
As the population increased intensely, the business building has declined substantially from the early 2000s to the middle of 2010. Major employers relocated their business to modern office establishments in the outskirts.
Meanwhile, transportation also developed during this period as the Kansas City Area Transportation Authority inaugurated Kansas City's first bus rapid transit line in July 2005.
Click here for more information.
As the population increased intensely, the business building has declined substantially from the early 2000s to the middle of 2010. Major employers relocated their business to modern office establishments in the outskirts.
Meanwhile, transportation also developed during this period as the Kansas City Area Transportation Authority inaugurated Kansas City's first bus rapid transit line in July 2005.
Click here for more information.