Westport, Kansas City, Missouri

Westport's Beginning

Seizing on a perfect opportunity, the Reverend Isaac McCoy brought his wife Christiana and their family to the Western area on December 28, 1831. Isaac came to this area as a Baptist Missionary to the Indians. A large log house was built as the McCoy home on a hill now the site of St. Luke’s Hospital. With the family was their 19 year old son, John Calvin McCoy, who was destined to become the founder of Westport and one of the fourteen co-founders of the Town of Kansas, now Kansas City, Missouri.

Prior to the arrival of the McCoy family the Daniel Yoacham family came from Tennessee and built a log house that became the first hostelry and tavern. It was located on the northwest corner at the intersection of Westport Road and Mill Street. At that time a stream called Spring Branch ran south through the area.

By 1833 young McCoy had built a two-story log building on the northeast corner of Westport Road and Pennsylvania to serve as a business structure and residence. He entered into business with J. P. Hickman and J. H. Flourney to trade with the Indians, the mountain men, and sold supplies to wagon trains going west. After purchasing land from Dr. Johnston Lykins, McCoy platted the town in 1834 and called it Westport. The name likely denoted it as a port of entry to the largely unknown west.In May 1834, a post office was established as West Port (two words), and John Calvin McCoy was appointed Postmaster. McCoy filed his town plat at the courthouse in Independence on February 13, 1835. Westport was incorporated on February 12, 1857. Lot #1, Block One, of McCoy’s plat is the northeast corner of Westport Road and Pennsylvania. This historic site can truly be said to be the birthplace of Kansas City.

All three of the western trails – the California, the Oregon and the Santa Fe passed through the town on present day Westport Road. Prior to the Civil War, Westport prospered as the eastern portal of the western trails. The population probably peaked in 1858 at about 2,000. After the Civil War, Kansas City, which was platted in 1839 by McCoy, became the dominant community and Westport declined. It was annexed to Kansas City in 1897, but a court challenge to the annexation was not settled by the Missouri Supreme Court until 1899.

Today as a part of Kansas City, Westport still retains its own identity. The historical legacy of Old Westport remains with us. Very little original frontier village is left, but the heritage and history of this community shall be preserved.(Courtsey of the Westport Historical Society; wwww.westporthistorical.com)

History of The Harris-Kearney House

Colonel John and Henrietta Harris migrated from Kentucky in 1832 with their family and settled in the West Port area.

John prospered and became the proprietor of The Harris House Hotel in West Port. In 1855, John and his wife Henrietta built a two-story, all brick, Greek revival house “on a ridge just east of town.” The grand home was known as the “Mansion House.” The bricks and mill work for the mansion were made on the premises. Originally, Col. Harris’ mansion stood on 5 acres of land at the southwest corner of the intersection of present-day Westport Road and Main Street. The  mansion house faced northwest overlooking the Santa Fe, California, and Oregon Trail (at this juncture, the road carried traffic servicing all three destinations).  In the fall of 1861, until the spring of 1862, Col. Charles Jennison of the 7th Kansas Calvary commandeered the mansion for his headquarters; the family was removed to the Harris House Hotel.  The Mansion House is now a National Designated Historic Site on the Santa Fe, California, and Oregon Trails.

After Col. Harris’ death in 1873, his son-in-law, Col. Charles E. Kearney, his wife Josephine (Harris), and his children moved into the Mansion House. The ell or back wing of the house was added to accommodate the Kearney’s five children. Mrs. Harris lived in her “Mansion House” until her death in 1881. The Kearney family lived in the house for the next twenty-eight years.  The house is the oldest remaining original residence in Kansas City. ((Courtsey of the Westport Historical Society; wwww.westporthistorical.com)

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An area within Westport, east of Broadway Street, is known as Nutterville. The historic Nutterville area was developed by James B. Nutter Sr. Nutter saw to it that the old homes in the area were adapted for use by businesses as offices in order to restore them. The houses are colorfully painted and enhanced with thousands of flowers and manicured lawns and shrubs.

Westport is home over to 30 locally owned restaurants, bars, and businesses. Shopping at the Bunker or Fidel's Cigar shop is the perfect way to spend the afternoon. Fidel's Cigar Shop has been in Westport for over 20 years and sells over 300 varieties of cigars. Restaurants provide an eclectic variety of food for any dinner. Port Fonda, Sweet Siam Thai & Sushi, Mota Mahal II, Jerusalem's Cafe, Mickey's Hideaway, Classic Cookie, Pickleman's, Green Room Burgers, Denver Biscuit Co, Atomic Pizza, Wing's Stop, Cancun Fiesta Fresh, Joe's Pizza, Beer Kitchen, Westport Cafe, Ca Va, & Char Bar Smoked Meats and Amusements provide lunch, dinner and brunch options. Coffee shops such Broadway Cafe, Broadway Roasting Company, & Westport Coffee House are the perfect places for a cup of coffee, a scone and conversation with friends. Bars and live music fill in the evening festivities for crowds of all ages. Kelly's Westport Inn has sits at the heart of historic Westport and has been serving patrons for over 75 years. Harry's Bar and Tables, Harpo's, Westport Ale House, Buzzard Beach, Julep, Gambal's Social Club, the Firefly Lounge, Bridger's, and Johnny Kaw's Yard Bar keep the evenings and late night hopping. If your looking for a live show, a DJ, or karoke, check out Westport Saloon, the Riot Room, Throwback or Off-Key.

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  Kansas City Pioneer Square monument in Westport features Alexander Majors, John Calvin McCoy and Jim Bridger.
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  French heritage marker about the Santa Fe Trail placed by the Chouteau Society.
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  Kelly's, at 500 Westport Road, and Chouteau's Store, at 504 Westport, are the oldest buildings standing in Kansas City.
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  Westport Road in Westport.
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  Mickey's Hideaway at the corner of Westport Rd & Pennsylvania is one of many patio dining options
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  Evening and nights in Westport bring much fun and festivity.
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  Bunker west wall Middle of the Map Mural
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  Westport Bench Mural. North wall of Fidel's Cigar Shop.
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  Graffiti art by Scribes Walk
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  Kansas City Public Library Westport Branch
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  Kansas City Chief's Mural by Sike Style Industries.
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  Westport Presbyterian Church
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  Pryde's Kitchen & Necessities

• California Trail, Oregon Trail
• National Register of Historic Places listings in Jackson County, Missouri
• List of neighborhoods in Kansas City, Missouri
• St. Paul's Episcopal Day School
• Westport High School
• Harris-Kearney House

• Westport's official website
• Westport Historical Society
• Notebooks of James Gillespie Hamilton (a Westport merchant), from the Library of Congress website