The West Bottoms Freedom Trail Memorial serves as the trail-head for the Riverfront Heritage Trail, a 15-mile bike/pedestrian pathway that traverses 2 major rivers, 2 states, 3 counties and 3 cities. Construction on the trail began in 1998 and was completed in 2005. The Freedom Memorial highlights two important historical periods in Kansas City. Its location as a former escape route for runaway slaves attempting to cross the Missouri River in search of freedom and how the construction of Kansas City’s railroad began in the West Bottoms in 1863, the height of the Civil War. It was a critical escape route due to the new state of Kansas entering the union as a free state in 1861.

Missouri on the other hand was a slave state and slaves both in Missouri and surrounding states saw the West Bottoms location as their only opportunity for freedom. Unfortunately, not all succeeded in crossing and many drowned while trying to swim across the river.

During the 1860’s the West Bottoms as a whole was a very important region in KC due to its proximity to the river. Commerce bustled in the area as hotels, restaurants, retail shops and liquor providers all stood along the riverfront.

The beginning of Kansas City’s rail construction in the West Bottoms revolutionized the area as it brought agricultural and meat-packing industries to the West Bottoms. While these industries were highly segregated, they brought economic opportunity to newly freed African Americans after the civil war and up until the world wars.

Economic hardship after the end of WWII along with flooding, resulted in the West Bottoms decline. Thus, since the construction of the site located at 751 Madison St KCMO 64101, it has reawakened the interest of the public in Kansas City’s vibrant history, while helping revive the West Bottoms. By including a model of a train car and drawing stories of what slave families trying to cross the Missouri river might have experienced, the site seeks to appeal visually and artistically to the general public. As the trailhead of Riverfront Heritage Trail, the site links parks, communities, and destinations full of modern venues and public artwork, throughout the West Bottoms and surrounding areas.