Excerpts from the KC Public Library's,
Because pari-mutuel betting was illegal in Missouri, gamblers at the Riverside Racetrack bought tickets at a window labeled "Donations" and picked up winnings at one marked "Refunds".
In 1913 there were 554 "public prostitutes" in Kansas City. Money spent with these individuals totaled almost $1.5 million (over 28,000 transactions at $50 each).
In May of 1901, the only two automobiles in the city crashed into each other near the intersection of 11th and Grand.
In 1855 the city marshal was authorized to shoot on sight any hogs found in the streets.
In 1927, boys attending Paseo High School were reminded of the following: "…hats off on entering the building; don’t put them on before you are at the outer door ready to leave, even though you should see grown men violate this rule".
Kansas Citians were prohibited from driving any animal attached to a sleigh unless the animal or sleigh were affixed with an appropriate number of bells sufficient to warn persons of the sleigh’s approach.
When the new 6th Street Trafficway was opened on November 27, 1923, city officials did not cut a ceremonial ribbon—they drove golf balls down the new street.
City ordinance prohibited persons "naked or insufficiently clothed" from bathing, washing, or swimming in the Missouri River or other waterways within the city limits between one hour before sunrise and one hour after sunset.
In 1929, the following quantities and types of food were condemned (found unfit for human consumption) by the city’s Health Department: 13,000 pounds of meat (10,000 pounds of which was sausage); 137 ½ dozen eggs; 776 pounds of candy; 1,235 pounds of nuts; and 491 cans of vegetables.
"Skidoo House", at 2nd and Oak, was so named on account of the tendency of its tenants to migrate on or about the time the rent came due.
In 1926, Kansas City had 800 streetcars; 30 years later it had none.
By 1909, the Board of Public Works of Kansas City was authorized, by city ordinance, to publish public notices in both the English- and German-language newspapers of the area.
In 1939, the Kansas City Fire Department needed a new truck but did not have the $12,000 necessary to buy one. Enterprising departmental mechanics built one, in their spare time, from old parts.
When Kansas City’s first electric lights began operation in 1882, it was thought impossible to measure electrical current, so rates for the electricity used were based on the customer’s preceding year’s gas bill.
George C. Hale, Kansas City’s fire chief from 1882-1902, invented the sliding pole for use in fire houses.
The first municipal improvement made in Kansas City was construction of a jail at 4th and Main. $15.00 was expended for this activity.
"Queens" of the Priests of Pallas festivals (1887-1924) were disguised and their identity never disclosed during the festival events. It was later revealed that the "queens" were, in fact, men. At the time, it was felt the parade and other activities would be to strenuous for a woman.
Kansas City had nearly 100 motion picture theaters in 1910; 2/3 of these were in residential neighborhoods.
By 1949, 86 factories were manufacturing garments in Kansas City. It was said that one in seven American women wore clothing made in Kansas City.
Shortly after it began publishing in 1880, the Kansas City Star became known colloquially as "The Little Twinkler".
During one of the performances of the historical revue "Thrills of a Century"—produced to commemorate Kansas City’s centennial, and the inaugural show of Starlight Theater—a team of oxen hitched to a 600-lb cart broke loose, thundered across the stage, and crashed into new cars on loan to the pageant by a local car dealer.