Absolutely! Here’s a rewrite of the article, aiming for a more conversational and accessible tone, while retaining all the key information.
John C. McCoy: The Man Who Put Westport (and Kansas City) on the Map
Okay, let’s talk about John C. McCoy. You might not know the name, but if you’ve ever been to Kansas City or Westport, Missouri, you’ve walked on ground that he helped shape. This guy was a serious pioneer, a founder, and all-around mover and shaker back in the early days of the Midwest.
From Indiana Boy to Missouri Trailblazer
Born in Vincennes, Indiana, in 1811, John wasn’t exactly destined for a life of adventure. His parents, Isaac and Christiana McCoy, were into Baptist missionary work. John, one of six kids, got a good education, studying land surveying at Transylvania College in Kentucky. Little did he know, that skill would come in handy later.
In 1830, the whole McCoy clan packed up and headed to northwest Missouri for their missionary work. But young John had other plans brewing. By 1833, at just 22 years old, he was building a two-story cabin at the corner of Westport Road and Pennsylvania Avenue. This wasn’t just a home, though. It was a trading post, a pit stop for travelers heading west on the Santa Fe and Oregon Trails.
Think about it: these folks were heading into the wild unknown, and McCoy’s store was one of the last places to stock up on supplies. He got his goods by steamboat up the Missouri River, docking way over at Wayne City Landing near Independence. That meant a three-day round trip just to get supplies!
Westport Landing: A Stroke of Genius
McCoy was a smart cookie. He realized that if he could get those steamboats to come closer to his store, he’d save a ton of time and effort. So, in 1834, he scouted out a rocky spot on the Missouri River (between what’s now Delaware and Grand Streets) and set up a makeshift dock. He convinced the captain of the John Hancock to unload goods there, and boom – Westport Landing was born.
Soon, other riverboats followed suit, and Westport Landing became a bustling hub. It was closer to the trails, making it a convenient spot for settlers and traders alike.
From Trading Post to Town Founder
That same year, McCoy bought some land from a Dr. Johnston Lykins and started laying out streets around his store. He named the new town Westport because it was the last settlement before travelers ventured into the Kansas Territory. In 1834, a post office opened up, and McCoy was appointed postmaster. By 1835, the town was officially platted.
Family Man and Community Builder
In 1838, John married Virginia Christiana Chick, daughter of William Miles Chick, another prominent figure in the area. They went on to have nine children.
Now, around that time, a fur trader named Gabriel Prudhomme, who had ties to the French Chouteau family, owned a lot of the land around Westport Landing. Sadly, Prudhomme was murdered in 1831. To settle his estate, his property was auctioned off in 1838.
McCoy, along with William M. Chick and mountain man William L. Sublette, and eleven other men, pooled their resources and bought a 257-acre parcel for $4,220. They formed the Town of Kansas Company and divided the land into 318 lots for sale. This was the beginning of what would eventually become Kansas City.
Civil War and Later Years
Life wasn’t always smooth sailing for McCoy. During the Civil War, he sympathized with the Confederate States of America. As a result, he was forced to leave Kansas City under General Order No. 11 in 1863.
After the war, McCoy worked as a surveyor for the U.S. government. He helped establish the boundary line at Fort Leavenworth, Kansas, and surveyed the lands of the Cherokee and Creek nations in the Indian Territory (now Oklahoma). Later, he bought a farm in Kansas and worked the land for a few years before returning to Kansas City. He retired at his old home on Olive Street.
Legacy
John C. McCoy died in 1889 at the age of 77. He’s buried in Union Cemetery. He’s widely regarded as "the father of Kansas City." There’s even a sculpture of him, along with Alexander Majors and Jim Bridger, in Pioneer Park at Westport and Broadway in Kansas City.
Westport was officially annexed into Kansas City in 1899, solidifying McCoy’s legacy as a founder of both towns.
Why He Matters
John C. McCoy wasn’t just a guy who built a store. He was a visionary who saw the potential of the Missouri River as a gateway to the West. He created a trading post that grew into a town, which in turn became a major city. He laid the foundation for the economic and cultural development of the region. So, the next time you’re in Kansas City or Westport, take a moment to remember John C. McCoy, the man who helped make it all happen.