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09/21/2026

Then vs. Now: Kansas City, MO

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09/18/2026

Barney Allis Plaza was first created in 1956 above a parking garage, and is named for Barney Allis, longtime manager of the nearby Muehlebach Hotel, whose guests included presidents, Frank Sinatra, and Elvis.

After its last major facelift in 1985, the plaza is now in the middle of a years-long construction process reimagining it as one of downtown’s premier public spaces.

Once completed, the new plaza will feature two acres of green space, with a sloped lawn, event plaza, pavilion with food and beverage space, and a family play area and dog park.

The reimagined plaza is slated to open in late 2026 or early 2027.

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07/09/2026

July 6-8, 1984: The Jacksons at Arrowhead Stadium

In the summer of 1984, The Jacksons launched their North American Victory Tour with three sold-out shows at Arrowhead Stadium. In a rare move, Arrowhead officials accepted a flat $100,000 fee instead of their usual cut of ticket and concession sales.

The Victory Tour marked a major cultural moment—the last time all six Jackson brothers performed together on stage. Jackie Jackson was absent for much of the tour after injuring his knee during rehearsals.

Despite that, the tour went on to break records: more than 2 million fans attended the 55-show run, which grossed an estimated $75 million (around $211 million today), making it the highest-grossing tour at the time.

The tour became iconic for Michael Jackson’s signature look—his sequined black jacket, single white glove, and the moonwalk.

But tensions behind the scenes were rising. At the final show on December 9, Michael announced it would be the group's last performance together, effectively dissolving the Jacksons as a touring act and canceling the planned international legs of the tour.

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05/13/2026

Town Topic Ends 24/7 Hours Due to Safety Concerns

Town Topic Hamburgers was established in 1937 when Claude Sparks opened a small diner at 2442½ Broadway in Kansas City, serving five-cent hamburgers on steamed buns. Modeled after White Castle, the establishment became a local staple by offering affordable meals and 24-hour service throughout the Great Depression.

Over the decades, the restaurant expanded to include its well-known 2021 Broadway location and hosted notable figures ranging from Harry Truman to Anthony Bourdain.

Despite its long history of around-the-clock service, the 2021 Broadway location will now temporarily close at 8 p.m. instead of remaining open 24 hours. This operational change follows a fatal shooting in the adjacent parking lot on April 26, as well as ongoing concerns regarding unsecured crowds in the area.

Management stated the decision was made to prioritize the safety of staff and customers after exhausting available resources to secure the surrounding environment. While the diner evaluates safer ways to operate during overnight hours, it plans to transition toward online ordering and all-night delivery services.

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04/22/2026

Speaking of Hallmark... Our Lady of Sorrows, dedicated in 1923 at 26th and Gillham, shares more than just a parking lot with Hallmark...

JC Hall, the founder of Hallmark, would often visit this beautiful nearby church for a moment of quiet reflection in the early days of Hallmark.

The centerpiece of the church is a magnificent gold crown that towers high above the sacred altar.

It's widely believed that this exact crown was the inspiration for what would become Hallmark's iconic crown logo, now recognized by millions across the world.

The crown symbolism would go on to inspire many other renowned KC brands -- the Monarchs, Royals, KC Kings, Crown Center, etc -- but as the legend goes, it all started with JC Hall and Our Lady of Sorrows.

ps: the stunning frescoes that adorn the walls were hand painted by none other than Dante Cosentino, of the well-known Cosentino family.

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04/20/2026

Then vs. Now: Planters Seed Co

In 1924, German immigrant Henry Wertheim began to sell farm and garden seeds to local farmers on their way to the nearby farmers’ market. Shortly after, in 1928, Planters moved to their iconic location at 513 Walnut.

Since then, Planters has loyally served the community for nearly 100 years selling spices, seeds, coffee, teas, and much more at their Walnut location.

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04/07/2026

Opening on April 4th, 1980, The Orient Express was a landmark steel roller coaster at Worlds of Fun that significantly elevated the park’s national profile.

It was considered one of the most advanced coasters of its time, featuring multiple inversions, including interlocking loops and the debut of the “Kamikaze Curve,” later known as a batwing, making it a major innovation in coaster design.

Set within a wooded valley, it combined intense thrills with immersive theming, including gardens, a tunnel, and a detailed station experience.

Despite its popularity through the 1980s and 1990s, incidents and evolving ride standards led to increased maintenance challenges and criticism of its roughness.

The coaster closed in 2003 and was demolished soon after, but it remains an important part of Kansas City’s amusement park history.

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04/06/2026

The Flight 42 Cocktail Lounge was a short-lived but memorable attraction in Kansas City during the mid-1960s.

On April 4th, 1965, a retired Lockheed L-1049G Super Constellation aircraft, once operated by Trans World Airlines, was transported on a flatbed trailer from the downtown airport to the corner of 43rd and Main Street, creating a highly unusual bar setting.

The plane, which had previously flown international routes including New York to London, was converted into a cocktail lounge with seating, a bar, and aviation themed décor. Its novelty and immersive atmosphere made it a popular destination for both locals and visitors, offering a rare chance to socialize inside a former passenger aircraft.

Despite its popularity, the lounge operated for only about a year before closing due to financial challenges, and the plane was eventually scrapped, leaving no physical trace of the site today.

Read the full story & see more photos: https://kcyesterday.com/articles/flight-42-cocktail-lounge-kansas-city

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Historic photos courtesy of Jackson County Historical Society, KC Star.

03/30/2026

Happy Opening Day ⚾️🧢

Opened in 1973 as Royals Stadium, Kauffman Stadium has been the home of the Kansas City Royals for over 50 years.

It was part of the Truman Sports Complex and was notable for being one of the few stadiums built exclusively for baseball during an era of multipurpose venues.

The stadium’s signature feature is the massive outfield fountain display, the largest privately funded fountain in the world at the time of construction.

Renamed Kauffman Stadium in 1993 to honor team founder Ewing Kauffman, it remains one of Major League Baseball’s most iconic and fan-friendly ballparks.

The future of the venue remains unclear as team executives have expressed their desire to vacate the stadium when their current lease expires in 2031.

Shoutout to Daniel Moreno // Kansas City in Photos for the drone shot!

Historic photo courtesy: Missouri Valley Special Collections, Kansas City Public Library, Kansas City, MO

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03/26/2026

Then vs. Now: Winstead's on the Plaza

Winstead's Drive-In was founded in 1936 by Kathryn Winstead in Springfield, Illinois. It was one of the first drive-in restaurants in the United States.

The Winstead family opened several more locations in the Midwest, including this one in Kansas City in 1940. This location is still in operation and has been designated a historic site by the State of Missouri.

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4545 Worlds Of Fun Ave
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