The History of 39th St. West

"The line from 39th Street and State Line to Olathe Kansas, running on top of the old historic Santa Fe Trail, operated with Strang Gas-electric cars..." ~ Advertisement, Mo-Kan Interurban Railway Company (1906)

The 39th Street West business district and its surrounding neighborhoods offer some of Kansas City's richest history. Once a vineyard supporting a winery, 39th Street West rapidly became home to some of Kansas City's most stately, stone and brick homes, destination restaurants and boutique retail.

One of the earliest suburban neighborhoods to flourish in Kansas City's turn of the century expansion, 39th Street West was served by two light rail lines: a single-track streetcar line running to Rosedale, and the "Strang Line" providing a direct connect to areas further south, like Olathe.

Famous Residents & Patrons

Many of Kansas City's most colorful individuals have lived and frequented 39th Street West:

• Thomas Hart Benton - Midwestern muralists and inspiration for artists like known for his Middle-American subjects, worked from his quiet studio just north of 39th Street. His painting "Persephone" cost him his job at the Art Institute, but today, his paintings hang in national museums and private collections and even adorn the walls of the Missouri State Capitol.
• William T. Volker - One of Kansas City's greatest philanthropists and namesake of the beautiful Volker fountain. Known as "Mr. Anonymous" because of his desire to keep his altruism out of the public eye.
• Lou Jane Temple - restaurateur (café Lulu, famous for its bohemian clientele), food critic and author of seven culinary murder mysteries set along 39th Street West: Death by Rhubarb (1995); Revenge of the Barbeque Queens (1996); A Stiff Risotto (1996); Bread on arrival (1998); The Cornbread Killer (1999); Red Beans and Vice (2001); Death is Semisweet (2002).
• Sightings - James Elroy, author of thrillers such as L.A. Confidential, frequented tables of the now defunct Allegro's; Robert Plant (Led Zeppelin) spent an afternoon dining and book-hunting, and stories still circulate about sightings of Beat novelist, William S. Burroughs.