PRESS RELEASE

CASS COUNTY HISTORICAL SOCIETY
CAROL BOHL 816.380.4396   cchsmo@gmail.com

September 18, 2009

  Jefferson Highway Road Rally from Harrisonville to Smithville

 A “Sociability Run” or road rally, following the original route of the Jefferson Highway from Harrisonville , Missouri to Smithville , Missouri is set for Saturday, October 17. Antique and classic car are encouraged, but all are welcome to participate.

Participants will gather on the historic Harrisonville square at 12 noon to follow the route north. Each will receive a map and guidebook. The event is sponsored by the Cass County , Lee’s Summit and Smithville Historical Societies which will provide historic background at stops along the way.

The original Jefferson Highway stretched from New Orleans , LA to Winnipeg , Canada and was nickname the “Palm to Pine Highway" . Motorists had to follow blue and white logos attached to telephone poles to follow the route as this predated any national road system. Numbered highways took over in 1926, thus ending the JH era.  

The route then moves north on Jefferson Parkway, west on 225^th St and north on 291 Highway into Lee’s Summit . It will stop at 301 N. Douglas to hear the history of the Talley-Younger House where Cole Younger once lived. Moving north, it will follow Lee’s Summit Rd. to Little Blue Road past more Younger family property.

The route takes Noland Rd to Little Blue, to Woodson and into Raytown on 63^rd Street where it will stop at a pharmacy on the JH for refreshments. It will turn onto Raytown Trafficway, Old Raytown Road to 59^th St , to Stadium Drive to 27^th St. to Main in Kansas City and cross the Heart of America Bridge into North Kansas City on Burlington .  

The rally will stop at the beautiful fountain at the Anita Gorman Park  located at the corner of North Oak Tfwy and Vivion Road .  The fountain was dedicated in 1984 and continues to be a favorite attraction in the Northland area.   Approximately 100 yards  east of the fountain, stands the Civil War Memorial dedicated to the men from the Northland who  gave their lives  from the Civil War to the present Iraqi War.   (Note: There is a parking lot located at the Vivion Road entrance to the park.)

Just across the street from the park entrance is the historic Vivion Farm Mansion . This historic home has been a landmark in the Northland since 1876.  The beautiful home, still filled with antiques, is now owned by the Midwest Baptist Seminary. 

As the car rally heads north on North Oak Tfwy toward Smithville, it will pass the Gashland Presbyterian Church which may be a possible break stop.  The church is located at 8029 North Oak Tfwy.

 Arriving in Smithville, cars may park along Main Street or on Bridge Street .  Participants will have a choice of where to eat including the Brick House Pub and Restaurant or the nationally renowned Justus Drugstore, a Restaurant.  The Brick House Restaurant located at  111 N.. Bridge Street was the original Kindred Motor Co established in 1922.  Just up the street from Kindred Motors was the Jefferson Highway Garage.  No reservations are needed for dining at the Brick House. 

The Justus Drugstore, a Restaurant, located at 106 Main Street ,  was the  Justus Drugstore and Soda Fountain established in 1917. The original Justus Drugstore location was across from the Jefferson Highway Garage.   Reservations are required for inside dining by calling Restaurant at (816) 532-2300. Patio dining does not require a reservation.