Park Drive West from Summit St., a 1909 postcard published in color in Germany by the Elite Postcard Co., pictures residences, a prancing team of white horses with driver and carriage and one open air roadster. Park Drive referred to the drive through Roanoke Park, a 36-acre park in the western section of the city, entirely acquired by deeds of gift in 1902, '06, and '09 from the South Highlands Land and Improvement Co. and others who had caught the spirit of conserving nature's beauty and appreciated the resulting enhancement in value of nearby property. According to the park board report of 1907, This property should be held as a bit of wilderness, which is now its charm, and which would be entirely lost if attempts were made to finely finish any part of this valley...In the old quarry west of Roanoke Ave. and north of 38th St., the very fine spring there should be developed; a pool and a modest water garden. No mention was made of the tall dark cave under the street, where Jesse James, the outlaw, reportedly hid away for weeks. Today the cave is closed and the spring capped. Built in the rugged park setting of ravines and limestone crag are a wading pool, tennis courts, baseball diamond, comfort station, the Westport Roanoke Community Center and several miles of roadway through the wooded forest. Large residences, many of the native stone, prevail in the Roanoke district today, and seem to blend naturally into the scene. The late George E. Tucker's stone castle, with turret and red-tiled roof, on the high cliff at 35 E. Karnes, is typical. The postcard was mailed from Kansas City in October 1909 by Albert Kuony of Omaha, Neb. Kansas City Times, June 6, 1986.
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