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how did we get here?
St. Louis treaty signed and the Osage People were pushed off their land.
Reverand James Porter in settles in the land Troost is in. The reverend started a 365-acre Plantation on which he owned 40-100slaves who he forced to clear the woods, create pastures and farm corn until1865. The porter plantation was the start of the process of development on the land.
Physician, city father, and entrepreneur, Dr. Bensoit Troost, moves to Kansas City. Dr. Troost purchased much of the land around Troost and the road was named after him for his contribution to early Kansas City society.
The large expanse of land around Troost was purchased by William Wilson, who developed the span between 23rd street and 31st street into what became known as "Milionare's Row" and consisted of huge mansions, jazz, theatre and high society.
The economy declines, bankers panicked, affluent individuals weren't buying homes and prices dropped. Many African American homeowners were now able to move into what was considered a nice area.
Affluent white homeowners East of Troost begin to fear property values would drop because of their new neighbors. The majority of white families move out of the area towards Brookside and Mission Hills and zoning ordinances were passed in attempt to keep black families on the East side of Troost.
J.C. Nichols, real estate mogul in Kansas City and founder of the Country Club Plaza, used racially restrictive covenants in real-estate contracts in order to keep black families from moving West of Troost. Nichols also took part in panic-selling and blockbusting, essentially organizing white flight from areas that black families were moving into in order to sell homes in his new "whiter" developments. Panic-selling and blockbusting continued in Kansas City up until at least 1970.
At the wake of desegregation, Kansas City school board manipulated the school boundaries placing one at Troost to ensure that the predominantly white schools remained far from the neighborhoods that were predominantly black, forcing de facto segregation.
Supreme Court ruled that de facto segregation was wrong. Because of this ruling, the Kansas city Missouri School District sued the white suburban districts. The court responded by focusing on improving the KCMSD's educational programs instead of providing access to public transit for students to go to schools West of Troost.
Although there's been a lot of change and Kansas City feels this division. There are currently efforts to "revitalize" the area. Most individuals in the area can't afford the kind of property that's promised to sit on the land they already live in. Thousands could be pushed out of their homes if the area is gentrified.
Zoning ordinances were passed in attempt to keep black families on the East side of Troost
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Thelma’s Kitchen, a “donate what you can” café in the heart of Troost. Thelma’s Kitchen offers a safe space to come and enjoy community that crosses the unseen but very real barriers of the surrounding area
JOIN US AS WE STRIVE TO CULTIVATE A COMMUNITY SEEKING RECONCILIATION TO TRANSFORM TROOST FROM A DIVIDING LINE INTO A GATHERING PLACE, REVEALING THE STRENGTH OF ALL.
Reconcilliation Services, run by Father David Paisius Altschul,the organization is focused on restorative conversations about Troost’s divided and troubled history. “We can’t create the sense of village, if we’ve not faced the traumas of the past.” Says Father Altschul about Troost’s reconciliation.
The mission and vision of Reconciliation Services is as follows:
“OurMission is to cultivate a community seeking reconciliation to transform Troost from a dividing line into a gathering place, revealing the strength of all. OurVision is that Kansas City, no longer divided by Troost, is revealed as a thriving and vibrant community inspiring reconciliation across the nation.” (Matthews,Justin)
“Troostapalooza” and “Troost RisingDay” are efforts to unify the city and bring life into the area surrounding Troost through festivals, celebration and conversation. The mayor and city council declared April, 20th to be “Troost Rising Day” as a token of support from the city for “the bringing together of both sides of Troost Avenue into a beloved community.”
Mark your calendars for September 21st, 2019 to celebrate Troost. This event means to coalesce the community and shine a spotlight on the vibrant local talent along the Troost corridor. Troostapalooza is a free, family-friendly event located on Troost Ave. between 30th and 31st Street
You're invited to the 7th Annual Troost, Jazz and Soul Experience to benefit Reconciliation Services! You are in for a fun-filled night featuring unbelievable live Jazz & Soul music by local KC musicians and a special appearance by the Lincoln Prep Jazz Band! You can dine, dance, and enjoy our signature cocktail, The 3101. Get your picture taken in all your classic jazz finery, bid on some fabulous silent auction items, watch (and bid on!) the live painting, and more.
Join us in celebrating the strength and beauty of our community along Troost Avenue!
Troost Market Collective is a 501(c)(3) Non-Profit Organization with a mission to engage the community, enrich creative entrepreneurs, and build a bridge between communities through programming and outreach. The Troost Market Collective will host artists, makers, and innovators in collective, creative spaces. Through community collaboration, we aim to develop programming, host events and classes, and provide resources vital to the growth of creative entrepreneurs.
sharing your story can propel change