1886 tornado took out the very first railbridge over MO River in KC. BTW, that bridge, called the Hannibal Bridge, turned KC into the rail mecca and major city of the region that it is. The feds were deciding on building it in St. Joseph, Leavenworth or (I think) Omaha as the first bridge to cross the MO river. Those cities would likely be the major city in the region if the bridge were built there instead of KC.
Here is a 1904 shot of what is now Kelly's in Westport. I believe it was Daniel Boone's brother (or some relative) who built this building in the mid-1830's. Westport in midtown area of KC is actually the oldest, first settled part of the city, not downtown. There was a large Civil War battle literally at this street corner.
Here's a drawing of the Civil War battle scene at the very same street corner. Kelly's is out of picture to left. Behind is the Harris House, which is now a brewpub restaurant.
1984 St. Pats in Wesport w/Kelly's.
1989 picture of Kelly's. Anyone know the story of the Civil War dude in the window?
1906 blacksmith shop in Westport (midtown area of KC).
