David W. Jackson

This book could also have been titled "Jackson County Chronicles", although that doesn't seem to roll off the tongue quite as vivaciously. The places Jackson focuses on include not only Kansas City, but also Independence, Sibley, and other nearby towns. The author's cheerful tone, peppered with puns, paints a bright picture of this region's path to becoming what it is today. Each two-to-three page story is presented not as a thorough expansion on its topic, but rather an invitation to the reader to investigate further, often reminding them that the Jackson County Historical Society has more if they wish to delve into it. (I've used the JCHS a few times and will vouch for the availability and ease of use of the archive. The author is the director for Archives & Education for the society, among several other interesting things.)

Jackson breaks the history into five periods, the first up to 1826, and then the other four are fifty-year spells, the last extending well beyond the present year, encouraging the reader to think about his or her own current experience as possibly being of relevance to future generations.

The first short section covers the period prior to 1826, mainly about early European contacts with natives and the rudimentary Factory trade system. The next section, titled "First Fifty Foundational Years 1826-1876 shows us that special log-cabin time when the area was transitioning from frontier to conquered land with roads and brick buildings.

Fifty Golden Years of Expansion (1876-1926) depicts the charming time of change from lanternlight to electric filament light, from horses to cars (did you know the first car in Kansas City, in 1899, was electric?) and gently tucking its agrarian economy into bed as an urban economy begins to gather steam.

So much happened during the next period (1926-1976): three major wars, dramatic civil rights debate & change, the Great Depression. Rather than trying to express that all in one mouthful, the author pinpoints very specific Jackson County events that occurred during that time. The cigar store Indian of Independence Square that would periodically disappear. The experience of a local Civilian Conservation Corps member.

The last section, Preserving the Past for the Future (1976-2026) asks the Jackson Countian to pay attention to the historical aspects of the city we inhabit today: Westport, once the last "civilized" place on the trail into the frontier. Cemeteries where once-living people are represented by words and numbers carved into stone.

This is a perfect coffee-table book or a good quick primer for anyone planning on doing a little historical tourism in this area.… (meer)