Leadership by Mike Elwell sits quietly on the grounds near the Douglas County Courthouse, and it's…read moreone of those pieces that you might not fully appreciate until you stop and look at it for a moment. The bronze shows a small, simplified child wrapped in a sweeping cloak, the kind of abstract shape that reads more like a symbol than a portrait. Once you see it, the theme clicks. It's "leadership" as protection, guidance, and responsibility rather than authority for its own sake. It's been here since 1987, case in bronze and set on a simple concrete base, and it fits the courthouse grounds well. It's not a loud sculpture or one that demands attention, but it's thoughtful, well-made and worth pausing for if you're already exploring downtown Lawrence. [Review 806 of 2026 - 141 in Kansas - 25986 overall]

At the base of City Market's entrance, this marker quietly reminds visitors that commerce has been…read morea part of this spot's identity for generations. Even as the surrounding neighborhood has changed, the simple fact that the marker highlights remains steady. This corner of Kansas City has long been a place where people gather, trade, and keep the market tradition alive. It is in English on one side and the same text in French on the other. The English side reads, "In 1821, Francois and Berenice Chouteau arrived from St. Louis to establish Kansas City's first commercial emporium, the "Chouteau Trading Post", and in effect to found Kansas City. Francois was the grandson of Pierre Laclede, founder of St. Louis, and his wife Berenice was the daughter of Pierre Menard, a prominent man of French descent. French traders and soldiers had gone upriver as far as the Platte, starting as early as 1680. In its earliest years, the location of the Post was called "Chez les Canses" -- meaning "at the village of the Kansa" -- and later it was referred to simply as "Chouteau's." The first Chouteau personnel, including Francois' assistant, Louis (GrandLouis) Bertholet, who arrived in 1820, located on the North bank of the Missouri River. Some remained there after the Post was erected on the South bank. It continues, "Chouteau descendants say the first religious services here were held at the Post, and the first burials were made nearby. The first Chouteau Post was located near the South end of the Chouteau Bridge considerably down river. It was soon swept away by a flood, and after each ruinousPaid Advertisement flood the Post was relocated further up the river bank, and to the West. Berenice Chouteau, the "mother and Grand Dame of Kansas City," was a woman of great courage and compassion. When young Francois was killed by a stampeding horse in 1838, Berenice continued on at the Post. An 1841 map drawn by Fr. Point, priest of the French-speaking Church of St. Francis Regis, founded by Berenice, shows the home of "Madame Chouteau" at the eastern tip of the settlement (nearby, at Third and Grand). During a severe cholera epidemic, she nursed the severely ill and dying children - black, white, and Indian, and made shrouds for those who died, including two of her own children, from her linens and her silk wedding gown! She outlived her nine children, and died in 1888 at the age of eighty seven, having gained the love and respect of all Kansas Citians." The marker was erected by The Chouteau Society and The City of Kansas City. You will need to pay for parking, but you're already here for the City Market, right? [Review 832 of 2026 - 550 in Missouri - 26013 overall]

Crossing the Woodswether Bridge at about 4pm made for an easy eastbound trip into Missouri with…read morelight traffic and no delays. This span carries I-70 directly over the Kansas River and sits close to the point where the Kansas River meets the Missouri River at Kaw Point. Even with the interstate traffic, the bridge feels straightforward and functional, a practical piece of infrastructure that has lasted from 1915 and is still doing its job. Four lanes crossing the river this way and don't miss the "Welcome to Missouri" sign. It goes by quickly! [Review 813 of 2026 - 148 in Kansas - 25993 overall]

As a frequent traveler around the South, I've seen plenty of Civil War markers and battlefields,…read morefrom Antietam to Sharpsburg to Gettysburg and more, but I'm not a Civil War expert. I know the conflict reached into Western Missouri, but I had honestly forgotten the specifics, so finding this marker in Independence snapped that history back into focus. The sign lays out the 1864 skirmish where Union forces under General Alfred Pleasanton clashed with Confederate troops led by General James Fagan. It reads, "On the 22nd Fagan's Division of Price's Army was defending against the advance of Union Gen. Pleasonton from the east. Two of Fagan's Brigades were driven from the Little Blue River to the eastern edge of town. The Union attack was made first from the NE with Philips' Brigade and the 2nd Arkansas (Union) both on foot. McNeil's Brigade then charged through town mounted. Cabell's Brigade came up to stop the Union advance. He was driven back and many of his men were surrounded. Near this spot two of his guns were captured and he barely escaped." The marker is Tour Stop E and it was erected by the City of Independence. It provides directions to Stop F, West on Lexington to Crysler. [Review 828 of 2026 - 546 in Missouri - 26009 overall]

I've been doing volunteer work off and on at this location since well before 2008, It used to be…read moredown the street in a hole in the wall, and then they moved. As for what they do, that doesn't need explaining. They are the Democratic Committee of Jackson County. There's one in Lee's Summit, and a large location in Kansas City. What's cool about this location is the swag. Bring it on. And bring your cash. There's a few campaign t-shirts, which are $20. They have campaign buttons, and might even have older campaign buttons from past years if you ask. Like bags to hold your buttons? They have those as well. This is also where to buy or get campaign yard signs. This year the Governor Nixon signs are free. (I got one, and please don't steal it from my yard). The presidential yard signs are $10. They can also register you to vote. You fill out the form, they take it over to the election board. The election board, I think, is down the street. They can answer your questions about the candidates. They hold events and other things around Independence. I like the people who run this office. Every couple of years the change staff. They provide phones for phone banking, so you don't have to use your own. I give it 4 stars cause they need new phones, desperately. It's a busy office, especially at this time of year.

"Is Kansas City in Kansas or Missouri?"…read more "Both," he answered. I'm still unsure but from the amount of going In and out of Kansas and Missouri I'm convinced he's correct. I turned up my nose on the thought of going to Missouri / Kansas as my initial visit from years ago was a bit too country-ish and small for my taste. This time around we opted to stay in the city with the main purpose of watching the Kansas City Royals play at Kaufman Stadium. I AM IN LOVE WITH THIS CITY!!! KC is clean, with well thought out communities and well manicured public parks and roads! The people have been very friendly with just a very few unpleasant encounters but overall the diversity is growing and I don't feel like such an outsider. Perhaps it's because we were in the city but the overall vibe is super cool with a mix of fit, professionals, young families and 30-40-ish singles. I love the mix of brick warehouses turned loft space apartments with the growing number of luxury apartment high rises. This is a city embracing the past and cohesively integrating it into its future. The outskirts of the city surrounded by historic landmarks (West Bottoms, the Jazz District & Union Station) as well as a growing suburban areas like Overland Park and Lee's Summit (also home to the Country Club District). Speaking of districts, KC is considered amongst the top 10 cities for creatives and top 20 amongst the most cultured KC is home to some of the coolest districts: Crossroads, Westport, River Market, West 39th Street and West Bottoms. I just can't get over how clean this city is!! All the preconceived ideas I had about Kansas/Missouri are just that - preconceived! A visit to Kansas City will reveal that this isn't just a "City of Fountains" (it indeed is with its registered 200 fountains in the metropolitan area alone) but a city with its share of museums (World War I, National Negro Baseball Museum, Nielson-Atkins Museum of Art and the Vine Jazz Museum), award winning Kansas City barbeque haunts as a growing culinary list of places that eat at. Did I mention how clean this city is? That's what won me over - all the lawns and parks are so neatly manicured and zero trash anywhere. Seriously!! Also, the racial diversity is evidenced by the different people I've encountered. Perhaps because it's a city versus a small town like say, Parsons, KS the novelty of seeing a minority is not as high. Who'da thunk that I'd be singing the praises of Kansas City?

Talk about a bunch of crooks. I used $14 in water and yet my bill was over $90 because of their…read morefees. Someone needs to audit them.

Highly recommend. There's something for everyone - beautiful Victorian architecture, civil war…read morehistory, flour milling, history of westward expansion and travel by carriage, European art, vintage instruments, and more! My husband and I absolutely loved our tour by Mark. He and Steve are clearly dedicated to historic preservation and gifted teachers. 90% of the furniture in the house is original! A must see!

What a hidden gem!!! My friend and I had the place all to ourselves with Steve, from the…read moreHistorical Society. Steve was very informative and went out of his way to share the estate with us. Each room so nicely preserved. The chandeliers with gas and electric options were so cool. 90% of the furniture and items in the house are original to the house. A must see when visiting Independence!!

Great friends, great preacher, great sermons. Easily my church for the foreseeable futureread more

Our church family has been through a lot in the past few years, and yet held onto her core values…read moreof love for one another and for the community. Our best friends are here, and we have found it to be a wonderful place to worship, serve and connect with others in God's family.