Historic Map - Kansas City, MO - 1869

Bird's eye view of Kansas City, Missouri. Jan'y. 1869. Drawn by A. Ruger. Merchants Lith. Co.

Reproduction map of the city of Kansas City, MO, drawn by Albert Ruger. The City Market was founded in 1857 and became a major hub for farmers of the area. Major battles during the American Civil War left the City of Kansas in ruins. Border Ruffians and Jayhawkers had led Union troops to burn down all occupied dwellings. Residents were forcefully evicted and control of the city was traded back and forth between the north and south. Following the war, local outlaw Jesse James made a name for himself when he robbed the Kansas City Fairgrounds at 12th Street and Campbell. The City of Kansas grew rapidly in post-war days and in 1869, when the Hannibal Bridge was completed over the Missouri River, the population exploded. The bridge was designed by French-born American railway engineer and aviation pioneer Octave Chanute. The sudden boom prompted the name change from the City of Kansas to Kansas City. Kansas City is situated at the junction between the Dakota and Minnesota ice lobes. The Kansas and Missouri Rivers cut valleys into the terrain when glaciers melted and drained. A partially filled spillway valley remains across the central portion of town.

The map features clearly labeled street names with lively scenes of riverboat, railroad, carriage and pedestrian traffic. It features inset illustrations of Kansas City 1855 and Public School.

Complete reference list below.

Features numbered references to the following locations:

1. Public School
2. Christian College
3. St. Teresas Academy
4. Court House
5. Market House
6. Turners Hall
7. City Gas Works
8. M. P. R. W. Depot
9. H. & St. Joe R. W. Depot
10. Cameron Branch Office
11. State Line Depot
12. Harlem
13. Christian Church
14. Catholic Church
15. German Catholic
16. 1st Baptist Church
17. Methodist Church
18. Methodist South Church
19. 1st O. S. Presbyterian Church
20. 2nd N. S. Presbyterian Church
21. 1st Congregational Church
22. Episcopal Church
23. Evangelical Church
24. Lutheran Church