Kansas City Real Estate

Before Kansas City was a city, Westport was the center for commerce trading. Once a thriving town through which the California, Oregon and Santa Fe trails passed, Westport marked the passage into the great western frontier and set the precedence for what is today a thriving entertainment and shopping district. This historical legacy allows visitors to travel back in time to the days of mountain men, wagon trains, and Civil War battles. Discover one of Kansas City's historical treasures.

Kansas City is forged by a rich history. The city was founded on the banks of the Missouri River and formally incorporated in 1850.

Kansas City, situated within 250 miles of both the population and geographic centers of the country, is often called “the Heart of America.” But throughout its history the city has been known by a number of other names as well. In its early days the settlement-turned-town-then-city earned a number of nicknames, including “Possumtrot,” “the Town of Kansas,” “Chouteau’s Town,” “Westport Landing” and “Kawsmouth.” The name “Kansas City” first came into use in the late 1800s and reflects the name of the Native American Kansa tribe who once lived in the region.

The city of Kansas City is well known for its jazz history. Some of the greatest jazz players in all of history got their start in the clubs of Kansas City. World-class musicians such as William "Count" Basie, Charlie "Bird" Parker, and Orin "Hot Lips" Page, among many others, came together to create a sound the town can call its own. "It's a blues-based, swing style of jazz," said Mary Ellen Farney, past president of the Kansas City Jazz Ambassadors.

Jazz, as a musical genre, was born out of a marriage of down-home blues and ragtime just after the turn of the century. While New Orleans was the birthplace of jazz, America's music grew up in Kansas City.

By the time the Roaring '20s rolled around, jazz had emerged as America's favorite dance music. In retrospect, it seems only natural that people were lovingly loosening up and moving to the beat of this hot, new set of pulsating rhythms. World War I had ended, jobs were plentiful, and times were good. Around the rest of the country, Prohibition (enacted 1919, repealed 1933) effectively ended the activity at traditional nightclubs and dance halls. But in Kansas City, mob boss Tom Pendergast, known as "Boss Tom," controlled the police, the politics, and essentially the entire town. So much so that, here, even at the height of Prohibition, liquor flowed freely, and gamblers and musicians played most of the day and all of the night at "private" clubs. This made Kansas City a national jazz mecca.

When it comes to lip-smackin', finger-lickin', chin-dribblin', literally rib-stickin' barbecue, Kansas City holds its own. The Carolinas can rightfully claim to be the cradle of American barbecue and Texas is by far the brisket capital of the world. But Kansas City brings it all together with more than 90 barbecue joints - from little bitty eateries to full-blown, nothing-but-barbecue restaurants.

The crack of a bat and the smooth melodies of a tenor sax bring back memories of what was once the heart of Kansas City culture. Known throughout the world as trademarks of Kansas City, Negro Leagues Baseball and jazz music have been rekindled into brilliant reality with a massive revitalization of Kansas City's historic 18th & Vine district.
The Museums at 18th & Vine celebrate their grand opening on September 5, 1997 in the area where baseball, jazz, and good times reigned as part of Kansas City's cultural life. The City of Kansas City, Missouri launched a $24 million project to pay tribute to the historical development of jazz and Negro Leagues Baseball. With the opening of the museums, Kansas Citians and visitors have the opportunity to get a first hand look at some of the greatest legends of jazz and baseball such as Charlie Parker, Count Basie, Lester Young, George and Julia Lee, Satchel Paige, James "Cool Papa" Bell, and Josh Gibson. This "who's who" of early jazz and baseball legends is highlighted in brilliant sight and sound with a dynamic look at Kansas City history.

Newest Kansas City Real Estate Properties

$59,950

13907 Parallel , Kansas City

Great Corner lot at 7 HWY and Parallel.. hard surface roads - 200 feet of frontage on 7 HWY 100 feet of frontage on Parallel.. SUPER LOCATION!

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$89,900

Lot 100 Greystone , St Joseph

Large tree lined residential lot off Woodbine Rd. North of Cook. Greystone subdivision restrictiona apply. Approved detached out buildings are permitted on this lot along...

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$500,000

7560 Mize , Shawnee

20 Acres of PRIME real estate in Shawnee.PRIME development acreage located right next to Mize Elementary. Build your dream home on 20 acres. INVESTORS/DEVELOPERS* take a ...

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$239,000

27010 W 73rd , Shawnee

Looking for the PERFECT place to build your Dream home? THIS IS IT!! Stunning from every angle. Enjoy the view of the sunset while overlooking the KS river. *Truly seclud...

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$89,000

14610 W 49Th , Shawnee

Great lot in Saddlebrooke. Bring your own builder and build your dream home.

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$99,950

00000 S Paulen , Melvern

56 +/- acres Hunting Timber on Marais Des Cygnes River Valley in Osage County near Melvern, KS. Managed Whitetail hunting across road. Good hardwoods. Multiple access po...

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$85,000

7020 NE 134th , Smithville

Beautiful lot ready for you to build your dream home in Johnson Ridge. One acre estate size lot 263 x 205 x 146 x 278 plus adjoins greenspace with pond to the rear. Con...

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$349,950

00000 S Berryton , Melvern

240 Acres with Rock Quarry Lease. East side 80 acres is thick with exceptional hunting. Approx. 18 acres of tillable acreage. Call agent for Quarry details.

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$89,950

Lot #3 Hickory , Bonner Springs

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$156,000

45 E Shaver , Plattsburg

Perfect setting for you dream home or to subdivide into acre parcels. Minutes from Smithville Lake. Free boat ramp 2 blocks away. 1/8 mile from corps land which is public...

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