Industrial City, Missouri
39°48′48″N 94°49′57″W / 39.8132°N 94.8324°W
Industrial City is a former community in Buchanan County, Missouri, now part of St. Joseph.
History[edit]
In 1907, a group of ten prominent St. Joseph businessmen announced plans to create a large industrial suburb northeast of Krug Park beyond the city's borders.[1] Located between the road from St. Joseph to Savannah and the Chicago Great Western Railway, the planned factory area was given the "The Industrial City".[1]
The plans continued with the election of officers for the newly-formed Industrial Development Company in June 1907, following its purchase of 200 acres of land at the site.[2][3] Alongside the development of factories in the area, the investors planned to extend the streetcar service from Krug Park towards the industrial site.[3] Costs for the single line extension were estimated at US$12,000,[4] and it was officially opened on October 1, 1908.[5]
While investors had managed to secure public transport for the settlement, there were still no businesses present in the area by July 1910.[6] That month it was suggested that the Speciality Shoe Machinery Co. would build its factory there,[7] but those plans fell apart due to the lack of accessible gas, water or power contracts within the site. Similar plans fell apart with a foundry company, which relocated to St. Joseph instead.[8]
Residential development[edit]
Following the lack of success with industrialisation, the Green Valley Investment Company purchased the Industrial Development Company's 146-acre holdings in April 1911, with the intention of creating a large residential site named "Green Valley".[9]
In 1912, residents of Industrial City petitioned the local school board to demand the creation of a school in the settlement.[10] A post office was built in the city in 1924, and it had a bank prior to the Great Depression.[11]
In 1958, Industrial City ceased to exist as its own settlement and became a neighbourhood of St. Joseph.[11]
Geography and demographics[edit]
Industrial City is built alongside the tracks of the Chicago Great Western Railway.[11] During the 1950s, its two residential areas were separated by the railway.[11]
In September 1912, it was estimated that there were 150 children living within Industrial City.[10] In 1958, Industrial City had a population of between 1,200 and 1,500 people.[11]
Culture[edit]
In 1958, there were two churches in the settlement.[11]
Education[edit]
In 1958, Industrial City was home to Pershing School, formerly known as Green Valley School.[11]
References[edit]
- ^ a b "Gigantic Industrial City Assured St. Joseph Project; 160 Acre Tract Optioned". St. Joseph Gazette. May 12, 1907. p. 1. Retrieved May 28, 2024.
- ^ "Officers Named by Promoters of Industrial City". St. Joseph Gazette. June 29, 1907. p. 1. Retrieved May 28, 2024.
- ^ a b "Plat Making for Industrial City". St. Joseph Gazette. July 13, 1907. p. 1. Retrieved May 28, 2024.
- ^ "To Open Line Work". St. Joseph Gazette. December 15, 1907. p. 13. Retrieved May 28, 2024.
- ^ "North End Extension to be Opened Today". St. Joseph Gazette. October 1, 1908. p. 2. Retrieved May 28, 2024.
- ^ "Industrial City to Take on Life?". St. Joseph Gazette. July 1, 1910. p. 2. Retrieved May 28, 2024.
- ^ "Local Building Notes". St. Joseph Gazette. July 5, 1910. p. 10. Retrieved May 28, 2024.
- ^ "Foundry Company Will Move Here". St. Joseph News-Press. March 25, 1911. p. 1. Retrieved May 28, 2024.
- ^ "For Suburban Homes". St. Joseph News-Press. April 19, 1911. p. 13. Retrieved May 28, 2024.
- ^ a b "Industrial City Wants a School". St. Joseph Gazette. September 17, 1912. p. 4. Retrieved May 28, 2024.
- ^ a b c d e f g Slater, Frederich W. (April 13, 1958). "Part of St. Joseph Soon". St. Joseph News-Press. 9C. Retrieved May 28, 2024.
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