Kansas City’s Automobile Row
“Gasoline Alley” first developed along the north-south arteries of Main, Grand, McGee, and Locust streets
In the early years of the 20th century, the increasing popularity and availability of the automobile in Kansas City reflected national trends. In the business section of Hoye’s Kansas City Directory there was only one, all-encompassing, category to cover anything and everything that was automotive-related. That category was simply, “automobiles”.
In addition to retail outlets, large manufacturers also established regional distributorships and factory branches in strategic commercial hubs. Kansas City’s locale, combined with its superior rail and freight infrastructure, made it an ideal point for automobile distribution throughout the Midwest and Southwest. By the mid-1910s, 22 auto manufacturers had distributorships or factory branches in Kansas City, including Ford, Cadillac, Chevrolet, Oldsmobile, King, Overland, REO, Studebaker, Buick, and Packard.
During the earliest years of the automobile, dealerships, nationwide, were in downtown commercial districts, adjacent to other types of retailers. The increasing popularity of automobiles spurred construction of auto-specific buildings, and a new kind of commercial district emerged. “Gasoline Alley” or “Automobile Row” included all types of automotive-related establishments: new and used car sales, parts warehouses, service and repair centers, tire stores, and paint and body shops.
Image Captions
Image Top Left (Upper Stack):
1922: Kansas City streets were filling up with automobile traffic, and Automobile Row was filling up with automobile-related businesses like this Oldsmobile dealership at 22nd and McGee.
1922: Kansas City streets were filling up with automobile traffic, and Automobile Row was filling up with automobile-related businesses like this Oldsmobile dealership at 22nd and McGee.
Image Top Left (Lower Stack):
1919: The Modern Tire Company at 1933-35 Grand. Even if a motorist avoided the nails from horseshoes that littered streets, one was doing well to get 1,000 miles of service from a tire.
1919: The Modern Tire Company at 1933-35 Grand. Even if a motorist avoided the nails from horseshoes that littered streets, one was doing well to get 1,000 miles of service from a tire.
Image Top Middle-Left:
1920: Southeast Motor Company, REO dealer at 16th and Grand. Note on the left, a new truck chassis with body not yet installed. By 1920, REO was selling more trucks than cars.
1920: Southeast Motor Company, REO dealer at 16th and Grand. Note on the left, a new truck chassis with body not yet installed. By 1920, REO was selling more trucks than cars.
Image Top Middle-Right:
1920: The Auto Wrecking Co. at 13th and Oak had to explain the concept of a salvage yard: “We tear ‘em up and sell the pieces.” The bi-plane was simply to draw attention.
1920: The Auto Wrecking Co. at 13th and Oak had to explain the concept of a salvage yard: “We tear ‘em up and sell the pieces.” The bi-plane was simply to draw attention.
Image Top Right:
1925: A Whippet demonstration car in front of the Willys-Knight Overland store at 25th and Grand.
1925: A Whippet demonstration car in front of the Willys-Knight Overland store at 25th and Grand.
Image Green Box 1 (First Text Block):
In Kansas City, Automobile Row first developed along the north-south arteries of Main, Grand, McGee, and Locust streets between 11th and 18th. In 1906, almost 60% of automotive-related businesses in the entire metropolitan area were located in this area. By 1910, the total number of businesses had nearly quadrupled, the majority of which were still located on the same north-south arteries, now stretching as far south as 35th Street. By 1920, half of all automotive businesses in Kansas City still centered around McGee and Grand Avenue between 15th and 29th streets.
In Kansas City, Automobile Row first developed along the north-south arteries of Main, Grand, McGee, and Locust streets between 11th and 18th. In 1906, almost 60% of automotive-related businesses in the entire metropolitan area were located in this area. By 1910, the total number of businesses had nearly quadrupled, the majority of which were still located on the same north-south arteries, now stretching as far south as 35th Street. By 1920, half of all automotive businesses in Kansas City still centered around McGee and Grand Avenue between 15th and 29th streets.
Image Row 2 – Far Left:
1928: The Reid-Ward Motor Company, sellers of Packard Motor Cars, at 2735 Main Street.
1928: The Reid-Ward Motor Company, sellers of Packard Motor Cars, at 2735 Main Street.
Image Row 2 – Middle Left:
Wayne’s Body & Fenders Works, Carl’s Repair Shop, and Harris Battery all shared the same building at 22nd and McGee in Kansas City.
Wayne’s Body & Fenders Works, Carl’s Repair Shop, and Harris Battery all shared the same building at 22nd and McGee in Kansas City.
Image Row 2 – Middle Right:
1930: Davis-Genung Motors Company, dealers for De Soto, Plymouth, and Stutz motor cars, located at 2445 Grand, 1930.
1930: Davis-Genung Motors Company, dealers for De Soto, Plymouth, and Stutz motor cars, located at 2445 Grand, 1930.
Image Row 2 – Far Right:
1935: The Shepherd-Witherspoon Tire Company located at 2530 Grand Avenue. Note the Liberty Memorial in the background.
1935: The Shepherd-Witherspoon Tire Company located at 2530 Grand Avenue. Note the Liberty Memorial in the background.
Image Green Box 2 (Second Text Block):
Of the 50 makes available from auto retailers in Kansas City during the 1910s, only nine were still available in the 1950s: Cadillac, Ford, Buick, Chevrolet, Dodge, Hudson, Oldsmobile, Packard, and Studebaker. In 2005, only five remained.
Of the 50 makes available from auto retailers in Kansas City during the 1910s, only nine were still available in the 1950s: Cadillac, Ford, Buick, Chevrolet, Dodge, Hudson, Oldsmobile, Packard, and Studebaker. In 2005, only five remained.
Image Bottom Row – Far Left:
1950: Armacost Studebaker at 14th & Baltimore. Robert Armacost began selling Studebakers in Kansas City in 1930. In 1956, he began selling Pontiacs until leaving the business in 1967.
1950: Armacost Studebaker at 14th & Baltimore. Robert Armacost began selling Studebakers in Kansas City in 1930. In 1956, he began selling Pontiacs until leaving the business in 1967.
Image Bottom Row – Middle Left:
1954: Erwin Davis Motors and Nash Service, 19th and McGee, downtown Kansas City.
1954: Erwin Davis Motors and Nash Service, 19th and McGee, downtown Kansas City.
Image Bottom Row – Middle Right:
1955: Allied Motors Chrysler Plymouth on the corner of 16th and Baltimore.
1955: Allied Motors Chrysler Plymouth on the corner of 16th and Baltimore.
Image Bottom Row – Far Right:
1955: The Grand Avenue Garage at 716-22 Grand. With more maintenance required of cars in earlier times, it was convenient to get your car worked on while it was parked near your office.
1955: The Grand Avenue Garage at 716-22 Grand. With more maintenance required of cars in earlier times, it was convenient to get your car worked on while it was parked near your office.
[ With appreciation to the Missouri Valley Special Collections for photographs, Kansas City Public Library ]