North Blue Ridge near Kansas City in Jackson County, Missouri — The American Midwest (Upper Plains)
William Rockhill Nelson Chapel
Photographed By Michael E Sanchez, Jr., January 4, 2020
1. William Rockhill Nelson Chapel Marker
In September 1880 he arrived in Kansas City with business partner, Samuel Morss, and they launched the newspaper that became The Kansas City Star. As editor, Mr. Nelson advanced political reform and fought corruption.
He wed Ida Houston of Champaign, Illinois, Nov. 29, 1881.
Mr. Nelson, an influential civic leader known as “The Baron of Brush Creek,” developed the area around the Nelson Atkins Museum of Art. Built after his death primarily with Nelson family funds, the museum houses one of his greatest legacies, the William Rockhill Nelson Trust collection of art. He vigorously backed the “City Beautiful” movement of parks and boulevards, and fought for streetcars, garbage collection and municipal water.
William Rockhill Nelson died April 13, 1915. He is interred here with Ida, who died Oct. 6, 1921; Laura, Feb. 27, 1926; and Laura’s husband, Irwin Kirkwood, Aug. 29, 1927.
This Gothic-Tudor mausoleum is built of the native stone Mr. Nelson promoted for construction of local homes. Completed in 1917, it was designed by architect Jarvis Hunt.
Erected 1917.
Topics. This historical marker is listed
this page online
Location. 39° 5.932′ N, 94° 28.502′ W. Marker is near Kansas City, Missouri, in Jackson County. It is in North Blue Ridge. Marker can be reached from Brookside Avenue, 1.3 miles south of East Winner Road (U.S. 24), on the right when traveling south. The only entrance that is open to the cemetery grounds is the entrance on Brookside just south of U.S. 24 Hwy. Touch for map. Marker is at or near this postal address: 614 South Brookside Avenue, Kansas City MO 64125, United States of America. Touch for directions.
Other nearby markers. At least 8 other markers are within 3 miles of this marker, measured as the crow flies. Mount Washington Cemetery Bridge Facts (approx. ¼ mile away); James Bridger Gravesite (approx. 0.3 miles away); Hill Farm & Cemetery (approx. 1½ miles away); Sugar Creek Veteran's Memorial
Photographed By Michael E Sanchez, Jr., January 4, 2020
2. William Rockhill Nelson Chapel
More about this marker. The marker and chapel are on the Mount Washington Cemetery grounds on Nelson Court
Credits. This page was last revised on February 10, 2023. It was originally submitted on January 5, 2020, by Michael E Sanchez, Jr. of Kansas City, Missouri. This page has been viewed 674 times since then and 67 times this year. Photos: 1, 2. submitted on January 5, 2020, by Michael E Sanchez, Jr. of Kansas City, Missouri. • Devry Becker Jones was the editor who published this page.
