This February, we’re excited to celebrate Black History Month by lifting up the stories of people, places, and organizations that have shaped Kansas City neighborhoods in powerful ways. Each Friday throughout the month, we’ll be sharing a spotlight that connects Black history to our work today through the lens of our pillars: Leadership & Governance, Planning & Development, Technology & Communications, Health & Safety, and our newest pillar, Culture, Creativity & History.
The Black residents of Kansas City, Missouri have long been active in the planning and development of the city. That is nowhere more evident than in the troubled history of 71 Highway, also known as Bruce R. Watkins Drive. When the freeway system was first proposed in the 1950’s, Black Kansas Citians from all walks of life were wary of the plans that would displace 10,000 members of their community. Many spent 40 years fighting for those plans to better accommodate existing neighborhoods and reduce the impact of the highway on the Black community.
Prominent leaders of the Black community were some of the first to recognize the harms of pushing new freeways through existing neighborhoods and they used their platforms to raise awareness of the issue. Religious leaders, like Rev. D. A. Holmes of the Paseo Baptist Church, insisted that the path of the highway be altered to avoid the demolition of important community anchors like his church at 25th and The Paseo. He was joined by other religious leaders like J.D. Willams, an officer of the Bethel AME church at 24th and Flora. At a public meeting held in May of 1966, Williams summarized the views of many in attendance; “We’re not going to stand by and let you destroy or block these two churches. We’re not going to let you take our churches. You must revamp your plans so that you don’t disturb our churches and schools.”
Political leaders were also active in the fight against the highway plan. Members of the City Council, Charles Hazley and Bruce R. Watkins, both stood firm for their constituents by insisting that the highway plans do the least amount of harm to the neighborhoods along the path. After a majority of the council supported a portion of the plan via a vote, Watkins rebuked them by saying that the City Council “Don’t give a d– what happens to poor people.” He added, “It shows a total insensitivity as to what happens to poor and minority people in this city. The freeway will not help the community economically, or will it help to improve the neighborhood.”
KCMO Councilmen Bruce R. Watkins (left) and Charles Hazley (right) in the 1970s. Photo from the KC Star photo archives at the KC Public Library.
Other political leaders in the Black community also fought for a design that would be less harmful than other highway projects. In 1976, Harold L. Holliday Jr., then president of Freedom, Inc., encouraged the community to attend public hearings on the subject and fought for lane reductions in the design proposals.
Neighborhood leaders, of course, had much to say as well. Early estimates suggested that as many as 10,000 people would be forced from their homes to make way for the highway. Neighborhood organizations like Beacon Hill, West Paseo (now part of Beacon Hill), Blue Hills and Prospect Vista (now part of Town Fork Creek) all participated in the planning conversations regarding the “south midtown freeway” as it was first proposed. In fact, Beacon Hill and Blue Hills both signed onto a lawsuit that was filed in 1973. That lawsuit sought less harmful impacts on the neighborhoods and preservation of green space and important community anchors.
Individuals also signed on to that lawsuit. Mrs. Sceless Crosslin, who lived at 33rd and Euclid, just yards from the path of the highway, wasn’t at risk of losing her home but wasn’t excited about having a freeway right outside her back door. She became a signatory to the lawsuit because she was concerned about the levels of noise and gasoline pollution that could infiltrate her home.
Sceless Crosslin stands in her front yard, gesturing towards the eventual path of 71 Highway near 33rd and Euclid. Photo from the KC Star photo archives at the KC Public Library.
Other families, like John and Margaret Davis, were offered a payout that was less than they thought their home and moving fees would be worth. Mr. Davis told the Kansas City Star in 1973 “I’m not a crusader and I’m not looking for a windfall. I just want to be treated fairly and on an individual basis.” Mr. Davis’ wife Margaret noted that this was the second home she would be losing to a freeway project. As a child she lived near 13th and Harrison, which was demolished decades earlier for I-70. She told the Star, “I would like to be settled before my children (ages 2 and 4 years old)start school. I don’t want them to be uprooted as I have been.” The Davis’ insisted on holding out for a better deal.
Today, the future of Bruce R. Watkins Drive is in question. A multi-year planning effort is underway to determine how to make the corridor safer for motorists and pedestrians. That planning effort will also consider the best way to re-connect neighborhoods that were split by the highway. The neighborhoods of Beacon Hill, Key Coalition, Boston Heights – Mount Hope, Ivanhoe, Blue Hills, Town Fork Creek and many others, will need to come together to make their voices heard. It is vital that the residents along the affected corridor participate in this planning effort. For inspiration, we can look to the leaders of the past to show us the way.
Follow the link below to provide feedback on the future of 71 Highway / Bruce R Watkins Drive
Citations
Protest freeway route: Hit plan to take churches. (1966, May 20). The Call (1933-) Retrieved from https://kclibrary.idm.oclc.org/login?url=https://www.proquest.com/newspapers/protest-freeway-route/docview/2873762097/se-2
Council men oppose proposed south midtown freeway. (1976, Feb 20). The Call (1933-) Retrieved from https://kclibrary.idm.oclc.org/login?url=https://www.proquest.com/newspapers/council-men-oppose-proposed-south-midtown-freeway/docview/2828023466/se-2
Freedom, inc., asks for active public interest in south midtown freeway. (1976, Feb 13). The Call (1933-) Retrieved from https://kclibrary.idm.oclc.org/login?url=https://www.proquest.com/newspapers/freedom-inc-asks-active-public-interest-south/docview/2825990310/se-2
File suit to stop freeway. (1973, Jun 29). The Call (1933-) Retrieved from https://kclibrary.idm.oclc.org/login?url=https://www.proquest.com/newspapers/file-suit-stop-freeway/docview/2847026231/se-2
(1973, March 4). Kansas City Star, p. 3. Available from NewsBank: Access World News – Historical and Current: https://infoweb-newsbank-com.mcpl.idm.oclc.org/apps/news/document-view?p=WORLDNEWS&docref=image/v2%3A1126152C152E4978%40EANX-15A74978EF13F1FC%402441746-15A59CD05B358DF5%402-15A59CD05B358DF5%40.
Thank you for highlighting the importance of Black History Month and the powerful stories, achievements, and contributions being recognized. Celebrations like this play a crucial role in preserving history while inspiring future generations to lead with awareness, empathy, and purpose.
It’s encouraging to see institutions actively creating space for reflection, education, and community engagement. Initiatives like these strengthen not only academic communities but society as a whole.
Appreciate the thoughtful work behind this recognition.
Best regards,