By MICHAEL BUSHNELL
Northeast News
February 19, 2014

This Linen era advertising postcard showcases the famous Durand’s Restaurant in Platte Woods, Mo.

Platte Woods is not often thought of as a bastion of history given its largely rural setting and Northland location.

The larger portion of its development came in the 1930’s when Ernie Thompson envisioned the “Garden Spot of Platte County” and began to offer residential building lots.

In 1938, the Platte Woods Improvement Association was formed.

In 1956, in order to avoid annexation by a fast growing Kansas City, Platte Woods incorporated itself as a fourth-class city.

Prior to being bisected by the construction of I-29, Platte Woods was a bucolic suburban setting with streets such as Red Haw Lane, Crystal Pool Drive, both of which would cross hill and dale, passing two spring-fed ponds. At the time, Hwy. 9 was an old dirt road that connected Historic Parkville with US Hwy. 71.

The city’s southern boundary, Linden Road (now Northwest Road and 72 St.) was an old stage road that ran between Gladstone and Parkville.

The old Durand’s Restaurant was across the highway from Richardson’s Fina Service Station and just down the road from Dean Cox’s City Service station.

The Durand’s building was razed in the late 1960’s to make way for the construction of commercial buildings that would house First Federal Savings and a convenience store.

Richardson’s Fina is now a rental car outlet and Cox’s old station was razed in the late 1970’s to make way for a strip mall.

The description on the back of the card reads: “Durand’s Restaurant, 7512 NW. Hwy. 71, Platte Woods, MO., 10 miles north of Downtown Kansas City at the junction of Highways 9 and 71. Finest chicken dinners with hot biscuits that melt in your mouth. Carry out service, catering and small parties. Distinctive country atmosphere, air conditioned, plenty of parking. Phone SH1-9835.”

The card was mailed to Mr. and Mrs. Reid, Box 356, Parkville, MO., on Jan. 15, 1960. The message reads: “Hi folks. Thought you would like to know of a place that has honest to goodness good food, where they always make you feel at home. See you there. George and Bettie”.