Long Before Main Street Extension, He Built Streetcars To Take KC Southward
The KC Streetcar’s Main Street extension opens Friday, and Kansas Citians are once again thinking about transit.
When a new midtown resident asked about the name “Gillham” on the park and road near her apartment, a neighbor explained that he had something to do with the city’s early streetcar system. They asked KCQ to dig deeper into the story.
Indeed, Robert Gillham played a key role in developing Kansas City’s early street railways — though he wasn’t the first. That credit goes to Nehemiah Holmes, namesake of Holmes Street, who founded the Kansas City and Westport Horse Rail Road Company in 1869. And Gillham thought he could do better.
Read the rest of the story at KCHistory.org or on The Kansas City Star website. Plus, access The Kansas City Star articles, both past and present, on the Library website with a Library card.
Take the KC Streetcar to the Library
The KC Streetcar route, starting this Friday, will now run from the River Market to UMKC — and connect you to three Library locations!
Hop on and off the KC Streetcar, grab some free Library swag, and join us for all-ages activities.
- 10:30 a.m. Public transportation storytime.
- 5:30 p.m. to 7:30 p.m. Friday Fall Festival with activities for all ages.
- Throughout the weekend: “Things That Go Bingo” with a bingo card featuring modes of transport to spot outside the Library windows.
- 3 p.m. Storytelling, puppets, and more.
- 1 p.m. music in Kirk Hall.
- 2 p.m. storytime and button making.