The Subject of my Line Study Book

The West Bottoms

To some it is the worst part of town, but most fail to see the beauty in what was at one time the most prosperous business district in the United States. The broken down brick streets and the weather-beaten buildings illude to crime more than history, but when you become aware of the past, you can find yourself wishing you could have seen it at its best.

Originally, the West Bottoms were known as the French bottoms and were the center of trade between the Native American tribes of the West and French trappers. From there it became the recieving point of goods and immagrants traveling north from Mexico by stramship on the Missouri River.The area became even more significant internationally thanks to the growth of the railroad and the stockyards were second only to that of Chicago. A whole city flourished around the district and over 90% of the value of Kansas City was held there. At that time, the economic value of the city was decided by the economic prosperity of the West bottoms.

In 1903 a massive flood crippeled the investment in homes, schools and churches but the industrial market continued to prosper. The stockyards hit their prime in the 1940’s and during World War II the majority of Landing Craft Tanks used overseas were produced one per day and were then sent down the river to New Orleans, wich inspired their nickname “Prarie Ships”.

When the production of extensive military supplies ceased at the end of World War II 20,000 jobs were lost and the West bottoms were hit hard. A second blow came in 1951 with a devastating flood. Many of the industrial companies moved out of the area and a large number of them closed their doors forever. Over the span of 5 to 6 years 50,000 Jobs were lost and the city dwendled to half the size it is now. The city’s economy and tax base crumbled resulting in the inability to preserve the streets and bridges or invest in meaningful opportunities. In the 1970’s Kansas City made an effort to reclaim the stockyards by building Kemper Arena which held the Republican National Convention and annually, the American Royal. Since the building of Kemper Arena several multi-million dollar companies have established themselves in the West Bottoms and redevelopment has begun to attract members of the vibrant artistic community to help reestablish this historic area.