Kansas City Discovers Hidden Gems While Building Buck O’Neil Bridge
Kansas City, Mo. — As construction crews diligently worked along the banks of the Missouri River to build the new Buck O’Neil Bridge, they stumbled upon something that transported them back to the past. Archeologists have been on-site to uncover vital pieces of Kansas City’s rich tapestry of history, and the discoveries made have been nothing short of extraordinary.
According to James Pflum, the project director for the Missouri Department of Transportation (MoDOT), their findings have been among the most remarkable he has ever witnessed. “This validates those processes for us. This really shows us that when we spend the time and the money to do archeology, to remember and find the history that’s out there, this validates why we spend all the time and money to do that,” he explained, emphasizing the importance of digging deep into the roots of the community.
Exciting Discoveries
Andrew Gottsfield, the cultural resources section manager at Burns and McDonnell, was among the team who mapped out five archeological sites during the project. Out of these five locations, two were fully excavated, revealing astonishingly different aspects of Kansas City’s historical landscape.
“It’s a really exciting time because you are finding stuff that hasn’t been touched by other people for, in this case, 120 years,” said Gottsfield, clearly thrilled about the discoveries. The first excavation site revealed the remnants of an 1800s hotel that catered primarily to the working class.
The second excavation site, located close to the bustling intersection of 3rd and Broadway, told a much different story. It was an area home to numerous families living modestly in makeshift homes, often created from scraps and discarded materials. “There was a whole shanty community that lived down in the bottoms called ‘The Patch,’ and then there were a bunch of these shanties that were built along the bluffs,” Gottsfield revealed.
Meet William H. Tinder
Among the team’s finds was the home of a notable local figure, William H. Tinder. The team uncovered Tinder’s identity through an old newspaper article from the Kansas City Post, which shed light on his struggles against the city’s plans to expand 3rd Street through the area. Despite living in his home for almost two decades, Tinder fought hard to keep his home, claiming squatter rights as the city pursued plans that would displace him. Unfortunately, the city defied his claims, fining him $100 and ultimately burning his house down.
This discovery painted a vivid picture of a marginalized community, as Gottsfield described the area as a “marginal community on the edge of the red light district,” thriving on the labor of those who helped build Kansas City. “We are giving a voice to these people,” he added, signifying the importance of recognizing the contributions of those often overlooked in historical narratives.
A Glimpse Into the Past
Christa Wroblewski, the cultural resources lab manager at Burns and McDonnell, showcased various artifacts that the team discovered around the bridge construction site. “It’s an incredible feeling to be able to hold a piece of history in your hand,” she shared enthusiastically, displaying items such as an ink well, a part of a denture, medicine bottles, alcohol storage jugs, and various decorative dishes.
These artifacts paint an authentic picture of the everyday lives of working-class Americans over a century ago. “That’s kind of the payoff for this whole job,” Gottsfield remarked. “It gives voice to people that have been forgotten by history.”
Preserving the Legacy
All the discovered artifacts are destined for a curation facility located in Jefferson City, where they will be preserved for future generations. Additionally, a plaque will be installed near 3rd and Broadway to commemorate the former home of William H. Tinder, ensuring that his story and those of countless others will not be forgotten.
As the Buck O’Neil Bridge project progresses, it not only aims to improve transportation in the area but also brings forth the fascinating history of Kansas City, honoring the lives of those who came before us. With each shovel of dirt turned, a new chapter of this great city’s story is written.
