Waldo, Kansas City

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Waldo is a neighborhood and shopping center located in Kansas City, Missouri on 75th Street & Wornall Road that has continued to maintain its own unique character, even though it was annexed by Kansas City in 1909. Waldo's boundaries are Gregory Blvd on the north to 91st Street on the south, (although 89th street forms a full south boundary) and Holmes Road on the east to State Line Road on the west.

1 History
2 Notable Local Businesses
3 National Tenants
4 Competition
5 See Also
6 External links

[edit] History

In 1841, Dr. David Waldo of Gasconade County, Missouri, was convinced by some friends to purchase land in Jackson County, Missouri. Dr. Waldo purchased 1,000 acres that ran from what is now 75th Street to 59th Street and Wornall Road to Troost.

In 1860 a rail line was established between Westport and Dodson, and a main stop was located in Waldo. When the rail line was converted to street cars in 1907, a brick station was built at the Waldo location, and it became known as the Grand Central Station of Waldo. Waldo was annexed by Kansas City in 1909, which pushed the southern city limit from 49th Street to 77th Street. Business began to grow around the station, including Elmer Family Grocery and Milen Drygoods store. As the growth continued, the Waldo area became a main traffic artery of south Kansas City. Houses on Wornall Road south to 75th Street made way for continued business expansion in the 1930's.