Westport Scrapbook (KC244)

The area of Kansas City and Westport was Indian territory until 1825 when the government's treaty with the Kansas and the Osage opened it to settlement. Westport was established in the early 1830's by a small group of settlers from Kentucky. They carved out a clearing in the forest at the head of the Santa Fe Trail. Originally, they made their living by hunting, trapping, and supplying freighters for travel on the trail. The early paths and trails later turned into streets, and by the 1850's, several houses, stores, schools, and civic buildings had been constructed -- this was well before the "Town of Kansas" had become an established city. Westport voted to be annexed by Kansas City in 1897.

During the 1950's to the early 1960's, Adrian Christopher compiled this scrapbook regarding the history of Westport. They include newspaper clippings, booklets, research paper and other items concerning the history of Westport from 1812 to 1960. 1907-1961

4 folders

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