My assigned area is 32nd St. to 34th St. and Pennsylvania Ave. to Central. Starting from 1900, my assigned blocks were mostly housing units. Heading into 1925 we begin to similar housing units that are single-family homes and apartment units. Withing this time frame we also see more commercial units being built South of 33rd and 34th.

Going into 1950, some older housing units remain but some are starting to get demolished for the development of more commercial units. Redevelopment pressures continue and with this causes a decline in housing structures. In the late 60s leading to the 70s is when we see the biggest shift.

Penn Valley Community College was constructed in 1969 and using the 1975 maps we can see that most of the housing, if not all, is demolished. The area is now a college campus with the blocks around it being parking structures and businesses. There are a handful of home based businesses in and around the area. One notable thing that I noticed is a church south of central St. that remained throughout the years. After 1975 there is not much change expect with some businesses either being added or demolished.

Sources: ProQuest. Digital Sanborn Maps, 1867–1970. Accessed February 19, 2026. https://digitalsanbornmaps-proquest-com.proxy.library.umkc.edu/about?accountid=14589

kc1940.org. “Blocks.” Accessed February 19, 2026. https://kc1940.org/blocks

Higginbotham, N. Historic Aerials. Accessed February 19, 2026. https://www.historicaerials.com/viewer