Kansas City, a vibrant hub known for its jazz, barbecue, and fountains, is notably situated within the state of Missouri. But why is this bustling metropolis located here, right on the edge of the Missouri-Kansas state line? The story dates back to the early 19th century and the vision of pioneers seeking opportunity on the American frontier.
The genesis of Kansas City, Missouri, can be traced to the 1830s and John McCoy, a key figure in the region’s development. Recognizing the potential of westward expansion, McCoy established Westport in present-day Kansas City. This strategic location served as a vital outfitting post for pioneers embarking on the Santa Fe Trail. Crucially, McCoy also developed Westport Landing, a river port situated on the Missouri River just north of Westport. This landing became a crucial point for trade and transportation, connecting to Westport by road and fueling early growth.
In 1838, a group of fourteen investors, including McCoy, formed the Town Company to capitalize on the riverfront area, encompassing Westport Landing. This area was officially incorporated as the Town of Kansas in 1850. The name “Kansas” was chosen due to the proximity to the Kansas, or Kaw, River, itself named after the Kansa Indian tribe who inhabited the region. Missouri further recognized the growing settlement, incorporating it as the City of Kansas in 1853, and later renaming it Kansas City in 1889. Westport, McCoy’s original settlement, was eventually annexed by the thriving Kansas City, Missouri, in 1897.
Interestingly, across the state line in present-day Kansas, other settlements were emerging in Wyandotte County. In 1872, some of these towns consolidated and incorporated as Kansas City, Kansas. This naming choice was strategic. By adopting the name of the prosperous city across the state line in Missouri, leaders in Kansas aimed to benefit from the established reputation and growth of Kansas City, Missouri. There’s also a suggestion that residents on the Kansas side felt a stronger claim to the “Kansas City” name, given their state’s name.
Today, Kansas City, Kansas, and Kansas City, Missouri, remain distinct and independently governed cities. However, they are integral parts of the larger Kansas City Metropolitan Area, a sprawling region encompassing numerous cities and suburbs, unified by shared economic and cultural ties, all stemming from the Missouri River’s bend and the vision of early settlers like John McCoy.
