Swope Park, Col. Thomas Swope’s gift to Kansas City

Michael Bushnell
Northeast News


Swope Park was a donation to the City of Kansas City made by Col. Thomas Swope, a prominent area real estate developer. Swope arrived in Kansas City in the late 1850s amid promises of fortunes being made on the edge of the western frontier.


The 1,350-acre park was dedicated on June 25, 1896, with much fanfare. Mayor James Jones declared the day as Swope Park Jubilee Day and a grand celebration was held near the park’s entrance on what is now Swope Parkway and Meyer Boulevard. Ever the recluse, Swope was not in attendance and chose to visit the park earlier that morning in his carriage. Unrecognizable by many due to his reclusive lifestyle, Swope was pleased with the outcome, despite critics of the park decrying its location roughly 3 miles outside the then city limits.


This sepia toned photo postcard was published by Jno (John) Straley of Kansas City, Mo. Straley lived in an apartment building at 213 North Mersington Avenue during the 1920s and 1930s and published a full line of Kansas City postcards showing various views throughout the Kansas City area done in sepia tones and printed in France.


Some of the views were taken from the front steps of his apartment building, looking to the west and north on Gladstone Boulevard. This specific card shows the famous Swope Park flagpole donated to the city by local businessman and philanthropist Jacob Loose, the namesake for Loose Park.


The flagpole was noted to be the tallest in the city at the time of its dedication in 1915. Newspaper accounts of the day note the ceremony was attended by roughly 90,000 people. In 2011, the city’s Parks Department completed an extensive renovation of the 200-foot tall flagpole and re-dedicated a plaque honoring early Kansas City Parks proponent Jacob Loose. The event was attended by two great-nephews of Loose, George and Nathaniel Bates.

Want Northeast News articles sent straight to your inbox each week? Subscribe below!
Enter your email address and click on the Get Instant Access button.
We respect your privacy

Comments are closed.

  • Remember this?

    September 27th, 2023
    by

    Dorri Partain Contributor Putt putt to the Pizza Hut so the kids can take home this bag puppet featuring Pizza Hut […]


    Nelly Don: The Musical debuts for local viewing

    September 27th, 2023
    by

    Dorri Partain Contributor A new, locally filmed production, “Nelly Don: The Musical” recounts the life of Nell Donnelly Reed, who found […]


    Saint Mary’s Hospital – Over a century of service

    September 27th, 2023
    by

    Michael Bushnell Publisher “Dear Cousin, I like the chickens fine. We got two eggs today. They are all counted here. Jennie, […]


    KC Together: New Media for Our City, Our Stories

    September 27th, 2023
    by

    SPONSORED CONTENT Kansas City Museum is working with Artist/Filmmaker Randy Bacon and his movement platform 8 Billion Ones to create KC Together, a new series […]


    Remember This

    September 20th, 2023
    by

    Dorri Partain Contributor Saving a summer’s bountiful garden harvest for later in the year was essential for homemakers decades ago, and […]


    The world’s most beautiful farm

    September 20th, 2023
    by

    Michael Bushnell  Publisher Shortly after lumber baron Robert A. Long completed his palatial Gladstone Boulevard mansion in 1910, he began […]


    Remember this?

    September 13th, 2023
    by

    Dorri Partain Contributor What do you want to be when you grow up? For young travelers flying the friendly skies, […]


    YMCA served Downtown through its heyday

    September 13th, 2023
    by

    Michael BushnellPublisher While the Charles E. Whitaker Federal Courthouse might be an iconic addition to Kansas City’s skyline, the now […]


    Remember this

    September 6th, 2023
    by

    Dorri Partain Contributor Colorful and practical, bandanas can be used as a fashion accessory or simply to wipe one’s hands […]


  • Shipyards in the Midwest? One of the biggest was at the confluence of the Missouri and Kaw rivers

    September 6th, 2023
    by

    Michael Bushnell Publisher This Linen-era, Art Tone, “Glo-Var” finished postcard was published exclusively by the Beals Postcard Company of Des […]


    Remember this… 

    August 30th, 2023
    by

    Dorri PartainContributor America’s favorite collie was created for a short story written by a British author. Eric Knight (1897-1943) used […]


    An oasis during the dog days of summer

    August 30th, 2023
    by

    Michael Bushnell Publisher With the dog days of summer wrapping up, it seems fitting to showcase something cool and historic […]


    Remember This…

    August 23rd, 2023
    by

    Dorri PartainContributor Rock and Roll music’s “British Invasion” started off in a big way when The Beatles arrived in America […]


    Diamond Transfer Company At Your Service

    August 23rd, 2023
    by

    Michael BushnellPublisher This real photo postcard was published by the North American Postcard Company of Kansas City, Mo. The view […]


    Remember This?

    August 16th, 2023
    by

    Dorri PartainContributor Now I know my ABC’s, won’t you spell along with me? Whether used at school or at home, […]


    A century later, postcard view largely the same

    August 16th, 2023
    by

    Michael BushnellPublisher The intersection of Thompson Avenue and Gladstone Boulevard looks only a little different in 2023 than it did […]


    Remember This?

    August 9th, 2023
    by

    Dorri PartainContributor Can you fit all your school supplies inside a cigar box? Elementary school students in the 1960’s often […]


    Bales Baptist Church, Men’s Bible Class

    August 9th, 2023
    by

    Michael BushnellPublisher In 1886 Thomas Stafford and Charles Murray, students at William Jewell College in Liberty, Mo., along with some […]


  • Northeast Newscast


  • Remember This?

    Remember This?

    August 2nd, 2023
    by

  • Want articles sent directly to your inbox each week? Subscribe below!
    We respect your privacy and will not distribute your information.