One of Kansas City's first amusement parks was Troost park, which was opened about 1889 by the Kansas City Cable Car company, to stimulate trade for its street car line. The entrance to the park was at the end of the Troost avenue cable line at Twenty-fourth street. Patrons of the line had free admittance to the park. In the early '90s the Chute the Chutes ride was built, the first thriller of its kind used in a local amusement place. There were wooded spots for picnickers and boating, as well as the usual concessions. The area was originally part of the Porter farm. The Rev. James Porter, his wife and son migrated here from Nashville, Tenn., in 1832, bringing horses, cattle, hogs and 25 to 30 Negro servants. At what is now the corner of Twenty-seventh street and Tracy avenue, Mr. Porter and his servants began construction of their future home. A sturdy 1-1/2 story log home with five rooms was built, with a kitchen 8 or 10 feet away. Servants quarters were nearby, each head of a family having his own cabin. For several generations the site and home was preserved by descendants of Mr. Porter. Troost park was purchased by the city in 1902 and still contains the 3-1/2 acre lake and a Mormon marker at the south end of the lake. The marker indicates the site where Joseph Smith and 11 of his followers of the Colesville branch met and camped, in August, 1831. A log was laid for the first house and school as a foundation of Zion in Kaw township. Kansas City Times, April 18, 1970.
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