South Kansas City in Jackson County, Missouri — The American Midwest (Upper Plains)

John Calvin McCoy

Trader and Founding Father

Photographed By Jason Voigt, May 26, 2022

1. John Calvin McCoy Marker

Inscription. John Calvin McCoy (1811-1889), an enterprising young surveyor, built a two-story log trading post in the hills four miles south of the Missouri River in 1833. Later known as Westport, it became a trading and outfitting center for traders, fur trappers, Indians, and emigrants heading west on the Santa Fe, Oregon and California trails.

One year later McCoy established Westport Landing, which by the 1840s became the favored riverboat landing from which to embark on the trails. McCoy, William Chick, William Sublette, and eleven other Jackson County residents established the Town Company at Westport Landing in 1838. McCoy platted it and the company agreed to call it Kansas, which later became the modern metropolis of Kansas City. He died in 1889 and is buried in Union Cemetery.

Topics. This historical marker is listed in these topic lists: Industry & Commerce • Roads & Vehicles • Settlements & Settlers • Waterways & Vessels. A significant historical year for this entry is 1833.

Location. 38° 55.53′ N, 94° 34.207′ W. Marker is in Kansas City, Missouri, in Jackson County. It is in South Kansas City. Marker is on East Red Bridge Road, on the right when traveling east. Touch for map. Marker is at or near this postal address: 1590 East Red Bridge Road, Kansas City MO 64131, United States of America. Touch for directions.

Other nearby markers. At least 8 other markers are within walking distance

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of this marker. Susan Magoffin (a few steps from this marker); Don Felipe Chavez (within shouting distance of this marker); Alexander Doniphan (within shouting distance of this marker); People and the Trails (within shouting distance of this marker); River Crossings and Red Bridges (about 500 feet away, measured in a direct line); Trails Before Highways (about 700 feet away); Hiram Young (approx. 0.2 miles away); Kit Carson (approx. 0.2 miles away). Touch for a list and map of all markers in Kansas City.

Also see . . . John Calvin McCoy on Wikipedia. (Submitted on June 6, 2022, by Jason Voigt of Glen Carbon, Illinois.)

Photographed By Jason Voigt, May 26, 2022

2. John Calvin McCoy Marker

Photographed By Jason Voigt, May 26, 2022

3. John Calvin McCoy Marker

Credits. This page was last revised on February 10, 2023. It was originally submitted on June 6, 2022, by Jason Voigt of Glen Carbon, Illinois. This page has been viewed 457 times since then and 15 times this year. Photos: 1, 2, 3. submitted on June 6, 2022, by Jason Voigt of Glen Carbon, Illinois.