Monday, September 16, 2013

Jefferson Highway and The Burnt District


The Jefferson Highway catches my imagination after having traveled up and down Route 66.  You mean there is a historic highway that runs right past my house?  Well, maybe it isn't a route 66, but it is unique, and it passes right through Kansas City.  You might even say, Kansas City is right at the center of the highway.  I won't bore you with the details, they can be found here...
http://en.wikipedia.org/wiki/Jefferson_Highway
and here...
http://morrisoncountyhistory.org/history/?page_id=420
Here is the Jefferson Highway Association's homepage...
http://www.jeffersonhighway.org/jha-home/#
I think there could be great opportunity in promoting the Jefferson Highway.  In our area the highway goes along the line where in the 1850's and 1860's, the states of Kansas and Missouri waged war on each other.  In our pursuit of the Jefferson Highway in Harrisonville, we discovered a very touching memorial to those troubled times in the area that became known as the Burnt District.  Also, the importance of music in American culture, and its influence on the world cannot be understated.  However, in Kansas City, it is very understated, and under realized as a historic and economic force in this city.  Kansas City's jazz heritage really lead the world through the 20th century and the influence of Kansas City's musical heritage cannot be stated enough.  It was suggested that the Jefferson Highway, with it's two end cities of Winnipeg  and New Orleans being very influential on the Jazz history of their respective country's, and with Kansas City in the middle plus passing through the great metro area of Minneapolis could make the Jefferson Highway the Jazz Highway.  That is just something to think about.

To see all my pix on the road trip we took, which actually didn't follow the highway very well, then scroll down to the R-Cal section to Friday 13 September 2013.
 





Thursday 12 September 2013
Day off, ran errands
Code Yellow
Thursday, September 12, 2013 10:31:42
Cawfeee at Headrush Roasters
Thursday, September 12, 2013 11:07:12
Happy Rock, Missouri
- 2013/09/12 Thursday 11:19:38
Cargo Lardass
http://mapq.st/h/15UE7Zn

Thursday, September 12, 2013 11:23:03
Tima and Stella taking a pee break and shady rest by Cargo Lardass
Thursday, September 12, 2013 11:23:08
Tima and Stella having it made in the shade.
- 2013/09/12 Thursday 12:28:57
rail fanning... trainspotting... whatever you want to call it...

Thursday, September 12, 2013 12:29:58
I really was watching trains at Cargo Lardass.

- 2013/09/12 Thursday 13:12:49
sody
http://mapq.st/h/18fN2nZ

Thursday, September 12, 2013 13:19:31
Eastern gateway to Kansas City.
Thursday, September 12, 2013 13:25:46
Downtown
Thursday, September 12, 2013 13:43:01
39th Street
Thursday, September 12, 2013 13:43:07
39th Street
Thursday, September 12, 2013 13:43:29
39th Street
Thursday, September 12, 2013 13:47:56
Thursday, September 12, 2013 13:50:07
Southwest Boulevard (Jefferson Highway) through Kansas City.
Thursday, September 12, 2013 13:50:49
Roasterie DC-3
Thursday, September 12, 2013 13:50:56
Roasterie DC-3
Thursday, September 12, 2013 13:52:13
Back way to the West Bottoms, KCMO
Thursday, September 12, 2013 13:56:31
Up by the old Rock Island Freight house
Thursday, September 12, 2013 13:56:46
The old Rock Island Freight House.  The warehouse burned down in a fire.
Thursday, September 12, 2013 13:57:46
West Bottoms, KCMO
Thursday, September 12, 2013 13:58:06
West Bottoms, KCMO
Thursday, September 12, 2013 13:58:58
West Bottom, KCMO
Thursday, September 12, 2013 13:59:14
West Bottoms -- I had a loft in the white building to the right in 2001
- 2013/09/12 Thursday 14:02:24
Wifes' Enemy #3
http://mapq.st/h/18TQMIb

Thursday, September 12, 2013 14:45:46
Looking for a restaurant supply store.
- 2013/09/12 Thursday 14:47:43
Index Restaurant Supply
http://mapq.st/h/18TYiTs
 
Thursday, September 12, 2013 14:48:46
Thursday, September 12, 2013 15:02:33
Thursday, September 12, 2013 15:03:26
River Market, Kansas City, Missouri
Thursday, September 12, 2013 15:17:22
169 Highway, Kansas City North
- 2013/09/12 Thursday 15:19:01
svo
Thursday, September 12, 2013 15:57:37
- 2013/09/12 Thursday 16:11:01
Wifes'  Enemy #2
http://mapq.st/h/14PyuFy

- 2013/09/12 Thursday 17:26:44
Petsdumb and Worst Buy
http://mapq.st/h/1auNPQr

Thursday, September 12, 2013 19:23:49
Thursday, September 12, 2013 19:33:44
Country Club Plaza, KCMO
Thursday, September 12, 2013 19:34:17
Country Club Plaza, KCMO
Thursday, September 12, 2013 19:37:35
Westport, KCMO
Thursday, September 12, 2013 19:38:30
Westport, KCMO
Thursday, September 12, 2013 19:38:47
Westport, KCMO
Thursday, September 12, 2013 19:39:17
Westport, KCMO
- 2013/09/12 Thursday 19:41:22
Chestsport
http://mapq.st/h/14Q0WXT

Thursday, September 12, 2013 21:58:12
Penny Lane Records used to be in the art deco building to the right.
Thursday, September 12, 2013 22:01:59
Country Club Plaza, KCMO
Thursday, September 12, 2013 22:03:02
Country Club Plaza, KCMO
Thursday, September 12, 2013 23:13:22
Westport, KCMO
- 2013/09/12 Thursday 22:22:08
chingli ta grow
http://mapq.st/h/15WbESX

- 2013/09/12 Thursday 22:43:21
Touch Point on MapQuest
http://mapq.st/h/188CHEB
- 2013/09/12 Thursday 23:39:12
svo

Friday 13 September 2013:  Jefferson Highway and the Burnt District
Ken Kenneth Mountain and I drove what we could find of the Jefferson Highway from downtown Kansas City, Missouri to Harrisonville, Missouri.
Code Yellow
- 2013/09/13 Friday 13:04:12
communist bunk
Friday, September 13, 2013 13:30:53
SB 169
- 2013/09/13 Friday 13:46:30
Down Beat
http://mapq.st/h/13XFeE6

Friday, September 13, 2013 14:42:53
39th Street, Kansas City, Missouri
Friday, September 13, 2013 14:48:25
Southwest Boulevard, (Jefferson Highway), Kansas City, Missouri
Friday, September 13, 2013 14:49:06
A new old landmark on Jefferson Highway, The Roasterie DC-3 Airplane.
Friday, September 13, 2013 14:51:21
I-35 decking reconstruction has shown blue sky on parts of Southwest Boulevard (Jefferson Highway) that have not seen blue sky in decades.
Friday, September 13, 2013 14:53:28
19th and Baltimore, Kansas City Missouri
Friday, September 13, 2013 15:46:02
We turned up Broadway, and headed east on 12th Street, in Kansas City.  12th street is/was the main east west corridor that was also the seat of and birthplace of a lot of great Kansas City Jazz -- including the Kansas City swing sou
Friday, September 13, 2013 15:52:04
The real birthplace of the Kansas City sound has been demolished a long time ago (1950's) in an effort to "clean up" Kansas City's image.  12th and Paseo which is really close to the 12th street and vine which is in the song "Kansas City" was a wide open district where music played at all hours and where salesmen who visited KC from all over the US could get anything they wanted.  By the way, the "crazy little women" in the them
Friday, September 13, 2013 15:52:09
Only a park remains with a piano key parking spot and a marker where some of the greatest music in the Western Hemisphere was created.  In 1938, women with push brooms marched down this avenue signaling the beginning of the "Kansas City graveyard" period.
Friday, September 13, 2013 15:53:27
"Cleaning up" Kansas City means leaving behind unemployment, projects, crime, poverty and people.
Friday, September 13, 2013 15:53:43
Ollie Gates is making an effort to revitalize his part of Kansas City.  His development has become the replacement downtown for the 12th and Vine entertainment district and the 18th and vine (formerly the black business district in segregation days) Jazz district.
Friday, September 13, 2013 15:55:01
We turned left on Prospect.  In one of the Jefferson Highway links, I saw a reference to Independence Avenue.  Not having a map, I figured (probably wrong) that the eastern branch of Jefferson Highway went through KC at 12th, to Prospect, which was a main thoroughfare, (later became US 71 through KC), then east on Independence avenue, which was t
Friday, September 13, 2013 15:55:37
This is the main business center for Independence Avenue in Kansas City, Missouri.  It was quite the shopping district in the 50's.  It is kind of an american dream factory for immigrant families to start up businesses.  It is also a nightmare avenue for crime, drugs and prostititution.  We turned right on US 24 (independence Avenue) and followed it east to Van Brunt Boulevard.
Friday, September 13, 2013 15:56:40
Here is just a sampling of some of the 50's and 60's era googie that has survived on Independence Avenue in Kansas City, Missouri.
Friday, September 13, 2013 15:56:53
Friday, September 13, 2013 15:57:13
I love the Mayfair Cleaners sign on Independence Avenue, in Kansas City, Missouri.
Friday, September 13, 2013 15:57:53
Indpendence avenue, Kansas City, Missouri
Friday, September 13, 2013 15:58:11
Independence and Van Brunt.  I am not fond of 7-11's
Friday, September 13, 2013 16:02:59
Old Bridge across the Kansas City Terminal trackage below on Van Brunt Boulevard, in Kansas City, Missouri.
Friday, September 13, 2013 16:13:43
Friday, September 13, 2013 16:15:21
After heading south on Van Brunt, we headed east on Blue Parkway, which was US 50 -- known out west as the Lonliest road.
Friday, September 13, 2013 16:18:39
MO 350 (Blue Parkway -- US 50) is gritty and industrial on KC's east side.
Friday, September 13, 2013 16:18:52
LC's BBQ on MO 350.
Friday, September 13, 2013 16:19:11
There is an old art deco bar that is seeing new life after some time of abandonement on MO-350.
Friday, September 13, 2013 16:19:17
The dramatic Kansas City Southern arch bridge crossing over old US 50, now MO-350 in southeast Kansas City, Missouri.
Friday, September 13, 2013 16:19:27
There is a court cabin type motel here that probably hasn't changed much since it was built on old US 50 now mo-350
Friday, September 13, 2013 16:19:37
Friday, September 13, 2013 16:19:39
Friday, September 13, 2013 16:26:12
US 50 (mo 350) cuts right through Raytown, Missouri -- splitting it in half.
Friday, September 13, 2013 16:26:31
Friday, September 13, 2013 16:26:34
Friday, September 13, 2013 16:33:05
After Raytown, Missouri, the scenery gets gorgeous.
Friday, September 13, 2013 16:34:04
Knobtown at the intersection of old us 50, now MO 350, and Noland road after crossing under the Rock Island rr tracks.
Friday, September 13, 2013 16:35:28
Friday, September 13, 2013 16:43:34
Driving into Lee's Summit, Missouri
Friday, September 13, 2013 16:43:36
Driving into Lee's Summit, Missouri

Friday, September 13, 2013 16:44:25
Friday, September 13, 2013 16:44:44
Lee's Summit, Missouri.  We figured the highway went right through downtown, so we took Douglas road south through town.
Friday, September 13, 2013 16:44:55
Downtown Lee's Summit, Missouri
Friday, September 13, 2013 17:16:46
291 Southbound to Harrisonville, Missouri
Friday, September 13, 2013 17:26:20
291 to Harrisonville, Missouri
Friday, September 13, 2013 17:27:44
Harrisonville, Missouri
Friday, September 13, 2013 17:30:32
Harrisonville, Missouri
Friday, September 13, 2013 17:32:15
North Commercial Street, Harrisonville, Missouri
Friday, September 13, 2013 17:34:32
Downtown Harrisonville, Missouri
Friday, September 13, 2013 17:34:47
Friday, September 13, 2013 17:35:03
Friday, September 13, 2013 17:35:25
Friday, September 13, 2013 17:36:05
Friday, September 13, 2013 17:36:10
Friday, September 13, 2013 17:36:36
Friday, September 13, 2013 17:39:04
We finally found a sign!  There are actually several in Harrisonville.

Friday, September 13, 2013 17:39:12
Friday, September 13, 2013 18:17:06
Friday, September 13, 2013 18:17:47
Del Dunmires shut down restaurant on the downtown square in Harrisonville, Missouri.
http://www.ksdk.com/news/article/367692/28/Former-bank-robber-turned-millionaire-selling-town-square
Friday, September 13, 2013 18:19:29
Jefferson Highway marker.
Friday, September 13, 2013 18:19:39
Jefferson Highway Marker in downtown Harrisonville, Missouri
Friday, September 13, 2013 18:19:55
Friday, September 13, 2013 18:21:07
Looking west on the Jefferson Highway, corner of Independence Street and Mechanic Street in Harrisonville, Missouri.

Friday, September 13, 2013 18:21:15
Looking East on Mechanic (Jefferson Highway) from Independence Street in Harrisonville, Missouri.



Friday, September 13, 2013 18:23:45
Independence Street and Wall Street, just off the square in Harrisonville, Missouri.
http://www.waymarking.com/waymarks/WM5G
Friday, September 13, 2013 18:23:55
Tima and Stella waiting patiently for the inconsiderate photographer.
Friday, September 13, 2013 18:24:17
Cass County Courthouse, Harrisonville, Missouri
Friday, September 13, 2013 18:24:45
Downtown Square, Harrisonville, Missouri
Friday, September 13, 2013 18:27:09
Sculpture on one of Del Dunmires properties that is now for sale.
Friday, September 13, 2013 18:33:25
Jefferson Highway, heading northeast out of Harrisonville, Missouri
Friday, September 13, 2013 18:33:36
Jefferson Highway sign replica made from an original sign.
Friday, September 13, 2013 18:36:56
Corner of Orchard and Indpendence, Jefferson Highway heading south out of Harrisonville, Missouri
Friday, September 13, 2013 18:37:05
Corner of Orchard and Indpendence, Jefferson Highway heading south out of Harrisonville, Missouri
Friday, September 13, 2013 18:37:21
Looking back up Independence Street (Jefferson Highway), Harrisonville, Missouri.

Friday, September 13, 2013 18:47:03
Another Mural depicting the border war between Missouri and Kansas in Harrisonville, Missouri
Friday, September 13, 2013 18:48:27
- 2013/09/13 Friday 18:52:30
Jefferson Highway Mural
http://mapq.st/h/190gxp8

 Friday, September 13, 2013 18:55:58
Jefferson Highway map mural at 1201 Independence Street in Harrisonville, Missouri.
 Friday, September 13, 2013 18:56:38
Pine to Palm Jefferson Highway mural at 1201 N Independence in Harrisonville, MO.  The mural is based off the Jefferson Highway souvenir tour map
 Friday, September 13, 2013 18:58:32

Friday, September 13, 2013 18:56:08
1201 N Independence Street, Harrisonville, Missouri
Friday, September 13, 2013 18:56:20
1201 N. Independence Street, Harrisonville, MO
Friday, September 13, 2013 18:58:20
Jefferson Highway road marking on the mural at 1201 N. Independence, in Harrisonville, Missouri.
Friday, September 13, 2013 19:00:35
Harrisonville railroad sign marker at 1201 N Independence, Harrisonville, Missouri
Friday, September 13, 2013 19:00:46
Two SD units idling at the siding at 1201 N. Independence St in Harrisonville, MO
Friday, September 13, 2013 19:00:54
Grade crossing at 12th and Independence in Harrisonville, Missouri.
Friday, September 13, 2013 19:01:02
The actual mural at 1201 N. Independence in Harrisonville, Missouri for the Jefferson Highway is hidden from the street, unless you approach it from the south, and watch closely for it.  It is right at th

Friday, September 13, 2013 19:09:39
Mural downtown Harrisonville which illustrates Order Number 11, which forced the evacuation of the Missouri border counties in the late summer and early fall of 1863.  This mural shows the forcing
Friday, September 13, 2013 19:11:43
Sun setting on Wall Street seen looking west from North Main Terrace in Harrisonville, Missouri.
Friday, September 13, 2013 19:11:54
Sun setting on Wall Street seen looking west from North Main Terrace in Harrisonville, Missouri.
Friday, September 13, 2013 19:12:07
Downtown Harrisonville, Missouri
Friday, September 13, 2013 19:12:15
Downtown Harrisonville, Missouri
Friday, September 13, 2013 19:17:07
Burnt District Memorial at the Cass County Justice center in Harrisonville, Missouri.
Friday, September 13, 2013 19:21:30
Friday, September 13, 2013 19:21:43
Friday, September 13, 2013 19:23:26
Friday, September 13, 2013 19:23:46
Friday, September 13, 2013 19:23:56
Friday, September 13, 2013 19:24:10
Friday, September 13, 2013 19:24:24
Friday, September 13, 2013 19:24:34
Friday, September 13, 2013 19:24:44
Friday, September 13, 2013 19:24:52
Friday, September 13, 2013 19:25:01
Friday, September 13, 2013 19:25:10
Friday, September 13, 2013 19:25:20
Friday, September 13, 2013 19:25:26
Friday, September 13, 2013 19:26:46
 Friday, September 13, 2013 19:23:19
 Friday, September 13, 2013 19:26:36








1201 North Independence is the brick building with the arched doorway by the high tension line pole.  The Jefferson Highway mural is on the other side of the building in this picture.
Friday, September 13, 2013 18:14:17
Friday, September 13, 2013 18:14:17

Friday, September 13, 2013 18:14:31
Friday, September 13, 2013 18:43:32
Friday, September 13, 2013 18:46:25
Friday, September 13, 2013 18:46:52
Friday, September 13, 2013 19:14:18
Sunset on our way west and heading out.
Friday, September 13, 2013 19:16:09
We missed the ramp, so we turned around at the Cass County Justice center.  We decided to stop at the Burnt District Memorial.
- 2013/09/13 Friday 19:31:54
The Burnt District Monument
http://mapq.st/h/15r0eEe
 
Friday, September 13, 2013 19:32:57
Friday, September 13, 2013 19:33:20
Friday, September 13, 2013 19:36:16
Friday, September 13, 2013 19:48:20
Friday, September 13, 2013 20:10:48
18th and Highland in Kansas City, Missouri
Friday, September 13, 2013 20:11:27
Jazz District in Kansas City, Missouri
Friday, September 13, 2013 20:11:10
Gem Theater in the Jazz district in Kansas City, Missouri
Friday, September 13, 2013 20:11:14
Jazz district in Kansas City, Missouri

Friday, September 13, 2013 20:14:54
Kansas City Crossroads Arts district on 18th Street.
Friday, September 13, 2013 20:16:05
- 2013/09/13 Friday 20:18:56
yejiz
http://mapq.st/h/18dhKIu 
 
Saturday 14 September 2013
Code Yellow 
- 2013/09/14 Saturday 10:10:35
woik
http://mapq.st/h/1aJzJ14 
 
Saturday, September 14, 2013 10:50:50
12th street, downtown, Kansas City, Missouri.
Saturday, September 14, 2013 10:59:18
Saturday, September 14, 2013 10:59:18
Saturday, September 14, 2013 11:02:50
Elmwood Cemetery, Kansas City, Missouri
Saturday, September 14, 2013 12:42:55
Saturday, September 14, 2013 12:43:45
Saturday, September 14, 2013 12:43:56
Saturday, September 14, 2013 12:44:08
Saturday, September 14, 2013 12:44:48
Saturday, September 14, 2013 12:45:00


Saturday, September 14, 2013 12:45:17
 Saturday, September 14, 2013 12:45:36
 Saturday, September 14, 2013 12:45:56
 Saturday, September 14, 2013 12:55:38
 Saturday, September 14, 2013 12:56:03
 Saturday, September 14, 2013 12:58:29
We stopped at YJ's for brunch and to log.
- 2013/09/14 Saturday 13:02:52
YJ's
http://mapq.st/h/1ddWqrL
 
Saturday, September 14, 2013 13:53:52
New parking garage at 17th and Wyandotte.
 Saturday, September 14, 2013 13:56:06
 Saturday, September 14, 2013 18:10:36
 Saturday, September 14, 2013 18:12:49



Sunday 15 September 2013
CWI -- KCK Bodies
http://fox4kc.com/2013/09/15/burning-mini-van-in-kck-had-two-bodies-inside/

Code Yellow
- 2013/09/15 Sunday 06:00:19
Got to make the donuts.
http://mapq.st/h/1aBBqKr

Sunday, September 15, 2013 05:50:51
Got to go make the donuts...

- 2013/09/15 Sunday 06:39:55
wonderscope
http://mapq.st/h/18o5fQo
Sunday, September 15, 2013 06:39:03
In Shawnee attempting to go live in van 4

Sunday, September 15, 2013 06:39:03
In Shawnee attempting to go live in van 4
Sunday, September 15, 2013 07:44:51
Heading north to KCK on breaking news...
Sunday, September 15, 2013 11:10:47
Downpour on our VO/SOT
Sunday, September 15, 2013 16:58:34
Heading home, finally.
Sunday, September 15, 2013 17:06:50
Passing past the Coates House, downtown, Kansas City, Missouri.
Sunday, September 15, 2013 17:19:22
Out there by the bloo watter taur
- 2013/09/15 Sunday 17:20:51
svo
Sunday, September 15, 2013 18:16:13
Early fall
Sunday, September 15, 2013 18:25:22
More rain that we need.
Sunday, September 15, 2013 18:27:59
Bond... Bond bridge.
Sunday, September 15, 2013 18:47:13
assident on Blue ridge and I-49.
- 2013/09/15 Sunday 18:53:18
parents
Sunday, September 15, 2013 22:21:22


June 4, 2009 at 8.06am PDT
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