“A History Lesson” by James MowBray

A few years ago, I decided to do some research on the history of our home at 800 W. 35th, (built, I discovered, in 1909) and in the process discovered a bit about the history of Coleman Highlands and the surrounding area. I have decided to detail some interesting facts that I stumbled upon during my search. R.A. Long, a lumber baron and local civic leader is listed as the builder of our home. We can also attribute the Kansas City Museum and the R.A. Long Building at 10th and Grand to him. The R.A. Long Building was the first all steel-framed building in KC. Long also contributed a large sum of money to the building of the Liberty Memorial. In 1909, the Midtown area was much different. The streetcar passed right in front of our home on what was then Summit Street. The now One Park Place condos were then the St. Joseph Orphan Girls’ Home. The land for what would become the 176-acre Penn Valley Park was still being acquired.