Kansas City is the largest and most populous city in Missouri state. The City was incorporated as a town in 1850 and as City in 1853. Kansas City thrived after the Civil War, especially in the Prendergast era. Boulevards, Parks, City hall, Country Club Plaza, Country Club District, and several other famous infrastructures were built that completely reshaped the City. At the beginning of the 20th Century, the population of the City was over 163,752 residents. The first streetcars introduced in the City were horse-powered, and in 1908 all of them replaced with electric-powered streetcars. Kansas City had the most extensive streetcars system in the country. During the prohibition era, Kansas City remained unaffected.
Here below are some historical photos of Kansas City from the early 1900s that capture street scenes, landmarks, and everyday life.
The convention hall was located in the spot where the Barney Ellis plaza sits today. There was an earlier version that burned down and then this more permanent (or fire resistant) version was built. Municipal Auditorium was built directly to the south to replace it.