Electric Park (2nd), Night view

The 100,000 electric bulbs that gave Electric Park its name sparkle brightly in this night scene on a postcard mailed from Kansas City in the summer of 1914. Little wonder that writers of the day called the park the great white city of Brush Creek Valley. Strains of music of the great bands of the day came floating across the water from the pretentious covered band pavilion, to the left of the tall lighted tower on the right side of the card. Music was played by the best bands of the day, from here and abroad. Sousa's, Sorrentino's and Scariatti's were favorites. John Phillip Sousa, the great march king and for years the director of the U.S. Marine band, maintained the band shell at Electric Park was the best he had ever played in. The size of audiences, afternoons and evenings, attested to the popularity of the bands. Audiences heard Sousa's latest compositions, including Stars and Stripes Forever dedicated to the president of the United States. Swimming, boating, roller coasters, Ferris Wheels, living statuary, and the usual park concessions were all available. There was little competition in this era before radio, movies and television. And people weren't tempted to stay home because their homes were not air-conditioned.Today the park is gone, but not forgotten. The Village Green apartments and a small shopping center occupy the old site at 46th and the Paseo. Kansas City Times. August 26, 1983