Northeast Kansas City in Jackson County, Missouri — The American Midwest (Upper Plains)
Independence Boulevard
1915
Photographed By William Fischer, Jr., February 15, 2013
1. Independence Boulevard Marker
Independence Avenue was given its name because it extended from the central business district of Kansas City to Independence. In 1893, the Board of Park Commissioners selected a portion of Independence Avenue to become the first boulevard in the Kansas Parks and Boulevards System. Independence Avenue at that time featured some of the finest residences in the city, including those of civic leaders August Meyer and Robert Gilham.
The park board acquired and completed the portion of Independence Avenue between Woodland and Gladstone Avenues in 1895. The portion of roadway between Gladstone Avenue and Benton Boulevard was acquired in 1896, and the portion between Woodland and Dykington Avenues was acquired in 1897. Both sections were finished in 1899. When completed, Independence Boulevard totaled 0.96 miles from Woodland Avenue to Benton Boulevard.
By 1914 many of the largest residences originally lining Independence Boulevard had disappeared. The boulevard had begun to resemble its current character, a commercial thoroughfare carrying heavier traffic than the other boulevards in the parks and boulevards system.
Topics. This historical marker is listed in these topic lists: Charity & Public Work • Environment • Roads & Vehicles • Settlements & Settlers. A significant historical year for this entry is 1893.
Location.
this page online
Other nearby markers. At least 8 other markers are within 2 miles of this marker, measured as the crow flies. Scarritt Point Neighborhood (about 500 feet away, measured in a direct line); a different marker also named Independence Boulevard (approx. 0.2 miles away); Founders of Children's Mercy Hospital (approx. 0.4 miles away); Gladstone Boulevard Bridge over Anderson Avenue (approx. 0.4 miles away); Scarritt Point (approx. 0.8 miles away); The Rebirth of Twelfth and Vine (approx. 0.9 miles away); Goin' to Kansas City Plaza (approx. 0.9 miles away); Garrison Field House (approx. 1.2 miles away). Touch for a list and map of all markers in Kansas City.
More about this marker. An identical marker is near the northwest corner of the same intersection.
Also see . . . Kansas City Parks & Boulevard System and George Kessler. (Submitted on March 9, 2013, by William Fischer, Jr. of Scranton, Pennsylvania.)
Photographed By William Fischer, Jr., February 15, 2013
2. Independence Boulevard Marker
Photographed By William Fischer, Jr., February 15, 2013
3. Independence Boulevard Marker
Photographed By William Fischer, Jr., February 15, 2013
4. Independence Boulevard Marker
Credits. This page was last revised on February 10, 2023. It was originally submitted on March 9, 2013, by William Fischer, Jr. of Scranton, Pennsylvania. This page has been viewed 523 times since then and 56 times this year. Photos: 1, 2, 3, 4. submitted on March 9, 2013, by William Fischer, Jr. of Scranton, Pennsylvania.
