By Michael Bushnell
Northeast News
October 14, 2015

Fairmont Park was developed in 1897 by early Kansas City railroad developer Arthur E. Stilwell. Much like other amusement parks developed in the late 1800s, Stillwell developed the park to save his failing railroad undertaking that stretched from Kansas City to Independence.

The eight-acre lake was fed by Cusenbary Springs in what is now Sugar Creek, Mo. The park boasted rides and entertainment and included plays and music. It featured riggers, aerialists, giant dipper rides, a zoo, horse racing and a nine-hole golf course. One Fourth of July, the elaborate fireworks attracted more than 50,000 people.

The lake was home to small cottages as well, owned by such notables as Walton Holmes; Neal S. Doran, an auditor for Stilwell’s railroad interests; and A. S. Van Valkenburgh. The guests, who often stayed for a week at a time, gathered for meals at a large dining hall, and the crowd would include people like William Jennings Bryan and James A. Reed, who usually spoke on Labor Day.

Today, the park and lake are gone. Winding drives and suburban homes fill the area. Only the Sugar Creek ballpark gives a clue as to what stood there before. It occupies space once used for a large bathhouse on the old lakefront.

Demolition began in 2007 on a number of the homes bordering Sterling Avenue and U.S. 24 highway to make way for what was to be a new strip center. Due to the real estate crash in 2008, however that project remains in limbo. Huge piles of brush and dirt still dot the landscape and some homes still stand vacant awaiting demolition for the stalled project.

The black and white postcard was published by E. V. Davis and shows views of the lake, bandstand and a shady walk in the park. The card was mailed on July 19, 1908, to Miss Marie E. Schweingart, 126 Seminary Ave., Chicago.