K.C.'s Own Valentine

Here I sit, happily munching squares of chocolate that I selected from one of Christoper Elbow’s fine Valentine Day boxes, courtesy of Cutest.  “Love Day” has passed but not without lingering thoughts about how fortunate we Kansas Citians are to have our very own Valentine district. Let me expound.

Often Cutest and I have motored up and down Broadway, paying little attention to the Valentine neighborhood. It is bordered to the west by Southwest Trafficway, to the east by Broadway, to the north by 31st street and then to the south by 39th street.

If you were fortunate enough as a teenager to visit the Uptown theater for a movie, or later in the 20th century to attend a concert, then you were treading on the edge of Valentine. 

Here’s your local history lesson for the day. Approximately 100 years ago a few local developers gazed upon 160 acres of farmland. Being men of vision, they proceeded to employ men, mules and horses to turn dirt and rock into workable land for homes.

A gentleman and project investor by the name of P.A. Valentine had a road named after him, and soon thereafter the development took on his name.This sleepy collection of homes consisted often of three-story rock, brick or wood habitats, which back in the day were considered to be mansions. Sprinkled among them were more modest structures of two stories, complete with screened in front porches and roomy back yards. A school added early in the life of this community completed the needs of the populace as retail shops were within walking distance.

Taking advantage of an unusually warm February day, Cutest and I drove over to the afore mentioned street of Valentine and began our on-site sleuthing. Joggers and dog walkers scurried along. Several older couples greeted us with smiles and “Hello" and "Beautiful day, isn't it?” Had it been 70 years prior, I am sure a tip of a fedora would have been offered.

Where Valentine road merges with the trafficway, a limestone curved waist-high wall sits among a couple of stately pine trees. At each end of the wall, plaques memorialize folks who were prominent in the district’s history. A wooden bench sits back within the wall, inviting strollers to take a break and observe the surroundings. I am sure at some point in the past, this was a peaceful setting but today’s rush of traffic just steps away makes daydreaming difficult.

The villain in this piece is KC Life Insurance company. Their headquarters loom mightily on the northwest corner of the Valentine district. Over recent years, they have bought up neighboring property as an investment, on which they wish to build large multi-family structures. Obviously this has upset the current home owners as many of the early 20th century homes and apartments, some in terrible condition, have already been erased by the wishes of the insurance company.

(We borrowed the KC Life picture from their website, kclife.com. We could find no mention of the controversy on it.)

Another slice of Kansas City’s history and culture is at risk. Although we don’t know for sure what is going to happen, the Valentine residents are fighting this possible future development.  But before more of the face of the Valentine community vanishes, take a step back in time and stroll their streets and sidewalks. Your legs, heart and mind will thank you.

P.S. If you’re interested, you might want to take a look at the community’s website, https://valentineneighborhood.org/. I, however, will be working on the chocolate meringue pie that Cutest made! She's proud of her delicious accomplishment. So am I: I have yet to finish it.