Many people don’t realize that a thriving community of Black families once existed just south of the Westport business district, and just north of the Plaza. This exhibit has been created for the Westport Historical Society by a group of individuals devoted to keeping and honoring Steptoe’s history. It introduces their history with photos and stories of homes and descendants of the neighborhood, and their current project to establish a park in honor of Steptoe. The exhibit is available during our normal hours (Friday & Saturday 1-5pm or Sunday 1-4pm) or by appointment through October.
The area began attracting families in the 1860s, including many newly freed from slavery. Several settled in Pate’s Addition, an area some historians believe was set aside for them. The earliest Black residents farmed the land.
By the early 1900s, Steptoe had become a unique family place – “a little island” – physically separated yet still connected to other Black neighborhoods through community events and work. Steptoe was home to the Penn School, the first school west of the Mississippi to solely educate Black children. Two churches, St. Luke and St. James, also served the neighborhood.
Descendants of the Black settlers in the area became educated, created a flourishing community, and went on to make their marks in Kansas City and beyond.
Since the 19060s, many of the homes and institutions have been lost but it is important to keep the memory of Steptoe alive to celebrate the courage and sacrifices of those who built the neighborhood.
