Homegrown KC

The biographies of Mary Atkins, William Rockhill Nelson, Ida Nelson, Laura Nelson Kirkwood, and Irwin Kirkwood.

The History of the Plaza from the 1950s to today.

The history of the Country Club Plaza from 1920-1950.

The biography of Jesse Clyde Nichols, real estate mogul of KC in the early 20th century.

The history of the Western Auto Building in KC from the 1950s to present.

The history of the Western Auto Building from its creation in 1915 to 1951, and its close history to the founder of the Coca-Cola.

Interview with Director Amy Loch of the Wyandotte County Historical Society and Museum.

Christmas Joy in Kansas City in 2020

This episode briefly examines the history of the KKK in KC in the 1920s and lynching in KC. There is a trigger warning for this episode.

This episode focuses on memorialization of the Confederacy and its symbols. There is a sensitivity warning for this episode.

A brief examination of two stories from the Civil Rights Period in Kansas City: the desegregation of the Swope Park Swimming Pool and riots following the death of MLK. There is a sensitivity warning for this episode.

Interview with KC paranormal investigator Becky Ray.

We all know what the Troost Divide is, but do you know how it came to be? This new series will focus on stories related to racism and Civil Rights in KC. This episode will focus on the history of Redlining and other racist housing practices in KC's history. There is a sensitivity warning for this episode.

In 1981, the Hyatt Regency Hotel in Kansas City suffered a devastatingly tragic accident- 2 of its interior skywalks collapsed during a weekly dance contest, injuring and killing hundreds of attendees. This event impacted building codes across the national. Yet, the memory and materialization of this event has had a greater impact on Kansas Citians themselves. There is a sensitivity warning for th...

Queen of the Redlight District in the early 1900s

The end is come. Pendergast goes to prison and the Machine collapses.

Pendergast's reign begins to crumble...

Interview with Heather from the Amelia Earhart Birthplace Museum in Atchison, KS; we discuss the life and mysterious death of Aviatrix extraordinaire Amelia Earhart and the creation of the museum.

Pendergast’s unchecked and surging power in KC and the nation lasted until 1932. But everything changed in KC with the onset of the Great Depression.

With Tom Pendergast stepping into Big Jim’s shoes as Alderman of the First Ward, he is continuing his predecessor’s practice of supporting and defending the downtrodden while introducing his own methodologies and stratagems to build and empire and become “King of Kansas City, Emperor of Missouri”.[1] [1]  https://pendergastkc.org/collection/10553/shsmo-c0004-f04307-0001/ghosts-heart-america/34645

Boss Tom was once the most powerful man in Kansas City and one of the most powerful in America. This is his origin story...

I spoke with local history Pat O'Neill about his book, From the Bottom Up: the Story of the Irish in Kansas City.

Prohibition lasted from 1920 to 1933. Kansas City was known as a wide-open town during that time, meaning alcohol was still readily available.

The Black Archives of Mid America in Kansas City preserve and share documents and artifacts related to black history and culture in Kansas City. This episode covers the history and contents of the archives, along with exhibits and other projects at the archives. Make sure to visit their website: http://www.blackarchives.org/ .

The Marr Sound Archives is home to over 40, 000 audio recordings, and other artifacts related to the recording industry and history, and serves as a premiere research facility on the topic. Chuck and I discussed the Marr Sound Archive and its contents, and jazz history in Kansas City.