Westport, Where Kansas City Began

Westport was incorporated in 1857, but it's origins go back to 1831 when a missionary set up a church at what is now the corner of Westport road and Pennsylvania Avenue. The town of Kansas was founded farther north, on the Missouri river. in 1887 the two towns were annexed as Kansas City. Westport road was the trail from where the Santa Fe Trail, Oregon Trail, and California Trail originated. Here all that were headed farther west would get all the supplies they needed, and the town grew and prospered for several years.

Westport declined after the 1840s, but over the last three decades it has become a center of art, culture and varied cuisine. Although many of the original structures disappeared, the old schoolhouse on Westport Road is today the public library, and the Westport area retains the flavor of the old west. Kelly's, Kansas City's oldest bar, is still going strong. There are several antique shops, restaurants, and night clubs for the young and young at heart. It's convenient location, close to downtown and the upscale Country Club Plaza, makes it easy to visit Westport.