Big Muddy Speaker Series

Presentation by Dr. Matt Mallinson, Mayor of Sugar Creek, MO, and Audrey Elder, historical property specialist and owner of Past to Present Research

Where – Westport Coffeehouse Theater – 4010 Pennsylvania Ave. Kansas City, MO

When- Tuesday, January 27, 2015
6 p.m. – Social Hour
7 p.m. – Presentation. Presentation will be filmed – After 7 PM, Please enter through Green Room Burgers

PLUS – This presentation will be streaming live on KCDV.tv!

Presentation is FREE and open to the public!

In the 1830s, the way west for goods and pioneers was up the Missouri River to Wayne City Landing. The landing no longer exists but the bluff overlooking it is in the town of Sugar Creek now. Offloading at the Landing, the pioneers and the goods then made their way uphill to Independence and from there headed west on the California, Santa Fe or Oregon Trails. The port was named Wayne City Landing to honor Lt. Anthony Wayne who camped on the bluffs in 1825 while keeping the Kaw Indians confined to their land to the west.

The first railroad west of the Mississippi River was built between Wayne City Landing and Independence to accommodate the traffic of people and supplies the river delivered from the East. It operated on wooden rails with ox-drawn carts from 1850 to 1852.

Two dedicated local historians, Dr. Matt Mallinson, Mayor of Sugar Creek, and Audrey Elder, historical property specialist and owner of Past to Present Research, will talk about the pioneers, gold prospectors, traders, goods and wealth that came out of Wayne City Landing.

Directions

Westport CoffeeHouse – 4010 Pennsylvania Kansas City, Mo – www.westportcoffeehouse.com

The Westport CoffeeHouse is in the Westport entertainment area, midtown KC, south of downtown and north of the Plaza.  The main intersection is Westport Rd and Broadway.  From this intersection, go west on Westport Rd one block to Pennsylvania. Turn north (right).

OR you can get there from the intersection of Southwest Trafficway and Westport Rd.  Go east on Westport Rd to Pennsylvania. Turn north (left).

Westport Coffee House is approximately one block down on the west side of Pennsylvania.  Parking can be had either south of the coffee house in the large parking lot or just north of the coffee house alongside the building.  Enter through Green Room Burgers or Westport CoffeeHouse.