By Michael Bushnell
Northeast News
July 27, 2016

Opening to the public in 1888, Troost Park and adjoining Troost Lake were the ideas of the Kansas City Cable Railway Company (later known as the Kansas City Public Service Company) in an effort to boost ridership for the streetcar line.

Anyone riding the Troost streetcar received a free admission to the then-newly created park. The lake derives its name from Troost Avenue, which ran along the western edge of the park. Troost Avenue got its name from Dr. Benoist Troost, an early Kansas City pioneer who had large land holdings along the eastern edge of what is now downtown near 16th and 17th streets.

A Mormon marker lies at the south end of Troost Lake, indicating  the site where Joseph Smith and 11 of his followers of the Colesville branch met and camped in August 1831. A log was laid for the first house and school as a foundation of Zion in Kaw township.

This Hall Bros. card was mailed to Mrs. J. V. Rose of DeKalb, Ill., in March 1924. It reads, “Dear Mary, News is scarce. Nothing unusual except a letter from Ernest saying Grandma was dead, which you knew of course. This is the lake just back of the garage I am at. I am building batteries now and like it fine. I made a 92 in my final so whenever I’m ready to leave I will get my diploma. I only have about halfa doz. letters to ans. tonight and nothing much to say. Love, Clarance.”