November 5, 1931
On this day, forty shots were fired in the Elms Hotel lobby and veranda in a robbery gone bad. The Excelsior Springs police shotgun squad chased the robbers from the hotel to Kansas City where they were caught, tried, and convicted. You can still visit the Elms today.
October 27, 1906
On this day, Robert McClure Snyder, one of the wealthiest men in Kansas City and the builder of Ha Ha Tonka in Camden County was out for a drive. He was one of the first people in Kansas City to have an automobile. His driver swerved to miss a child and Snyder became one of the first to be killed in an auto accident.
October 25, 1930
TWA established the first coast-to-coast all-air passenger service on this date. The planes flew from New York to Kansas City for an overnight stop and then on to Los Angeles. Total trip time was 36 hours.
October 16, 1917
A disastrous fire raged through the Kansas City stockyards killing 17,000 cattle and hogs; 30,000 others were set free and survived. Many had to be rounded up in downtown Kansas City.
October 12, 1885
The first cross-state long distance call was made. The mayor of Kansas City called to his home from St. Louis.
October 6, 1870
The first large theater in Kansas City, The Coates Opera House, opened on this day. The theater was destroyed in 1901 by a fire.
October 2, 1865
The first regularly scheduled train service between St. Louis and Kansas City began on this day. It was an 18-hour trip.
Film Fests, Spooky Shows, Fall Treats, and more in Kansas City
Missouri’s largest city is ringing in fall.
Beatles Come to the Show-Me State
Charlie O. Finley brought the Beatles to Kansas City on this date. Fewer than half the seats were filled at Municipal Stadium.