Back When Kansas Wanted to Annex KCMO....

[bbqboy]

I also wonder if the state of Kansas would have been as willing to allow KC to "run wild" during the first half of the 20th century.

I'd say no, meaning KC would have no colorful history to draw upon. A Bigger Wichita.
For better or worse, the Ks./Mo. dynamic drives the metro because the 2 states are so different.

[moderne]

The section of Missouri that was to be annexed to Kansas was everything to the west of the Blue River.  Not much geographically, but then it included all of Kansas City.  A story I have read about the most realistic annexation attempt said that it was a done deal, but a local congressman was a no show in DC because he was on a bender.