KCHistory.org

Explore thousands of digitized photographs and material related to the history of the Kansas City region.

Learn about the collections and services of the Missouri Valley Special Collections, the Kansas City Public Library's local history archive.

Local History Blog

This artist was behind famous Kansas City mosaic, other works. But where is it now?

For 40 years, visitors to the children's section of the Kansas City Public Library's old main location at 1211 McGee, were greeted by a stunning work of art. At over 35 feet long and 7 feet tall, a…

This infamous kidnapping and murder in Kansas City led to a hunt for the missing ransom

The 1953 abduction and murder of six-year-old Bobby Greenlease stands as one of Kansas City’s most notorious crimes. Bobby, the son of wealthy Cadillac dealer Robert Greenlease, was taken from…

She was KC’s ground-breaking librarian. Then she was told her job was ‘for a man’

With the Kansas City Public Library celebrating its 150th anniversary, staff have spent the year thinking about and promoting our history. One KCQ reader who recently visited the Central Library in…

Kansas City FAQs

Who Were the Coon-Sanders Nighthawks?

The Nighthawks Orchestra/Band was a musical group formed in the early 1920s by Carleton Coon and Joe Sanders.

When Did Charles Lindbergh Come to Kansas City?

On August 17, 1927, less than three months after Charles A. Lindbergh’s historic solo flight from New York to Paris, Lindbergh landed his famous “Spirit of St. Louis” aircraft in Kansas City.

Why is there a Kansas City in both Kansas and Missouri?

The origin of modern-day Kansas City, Missouri, dates back to the 1830s, when John McCoy founded the settlement of Westport at what is now Westport Road and Pennsylvania Avenue.

Missouri Valley Room

Location

Central Library, 5th Floor
14 W. 10th Street. KCMO 64105

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Monday-Saturday: 9 a.m. - 5 p.m.
Sunday: Closed

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