Urban Hikes KC celebrates Black History year round when exploring the urban trails. Below we’re sharing some of the structures you may have seen around Kansas City but may not realize how they connect with the powerful Black history in the city. Keep reading to learn more and to see which urban hikes you can join to visit these sites and learn the stories of these inspiring figures.
Ed Dwight Jr.: Reaching for the Stars
Kansas City, Kansas, is home to an incredible trailblazer—Ed Dwight Jr. Born in 1934, he grew up in KCK, went to Bishop Ward High School, and was the son of a Kansas City Monarchs player. His accomplishments in aerospace and the arts make him nothing short of legendary.
Back in 1961, during the Civil Rights Movement, President John F. Kennedy chose Dwight as the first Black astronaut candidate, breaking major barriers in the space program. But after JFK’s assassination, support for Dwight’s journey faded, and he left NASA in 1966. That didn’t stop him, though—he went on to have a successful military career and later became a renowned sculptor, creating art that honors Black history across the country. At 90 years old, Dwight finally made it to space and in 2024 he received a key to the city from Wyandotte County Unified Government.His story is all about perseverance and breaking boundaries—proving that no dream is out of reach.
Freedom Fountain: A Tribute to Justice
At the intersection of Cleveland Avenue and Brush Creek Boulevard stands the Freedom Fountain, a powerful symbol of resilience, justice, and the fight for equality. An abstract bronze sculpture crowns a pyramidal concrete base, where water flows in a cascading sheet into an elliptical basin. Within the basin, six clusters of water jets add dynamic movement. Artist Richard Hunt conceived the sculpture as a representation of freedom, infused with the improvisational spirit of Kansas City jazz. Dedicated in 1981, this monument honors the countless African Americans who have pushed for civil rights and social justice throughout history.
Tom Bass: A Pioneer in Equestrian History
The American Royal is a Kansas City tradition, but did you know its origins trace back to Tom Bass, an African American horse trainer and equestrian legend? Born into slavery in 1859 in Boone County Missouri, Bass developed a deep connection with horses from an early age. He eventually moved to Mexico, Missouri, where he built a reputation as a premier horse trainer, known for his gentle methods and exceptional skill.
In the late 1880s, Bass and his wife, Angie, relocated to Kansas City and helped shape the American Royal Horse Show. He suggested the idea of a horse show to raise funds for Fire Chief George C. Hale’s study of European fire horses, a concept that evolved into the American Royal. As the first Black person to ride and exhibit in the event, Bass shattered racial barriers. He also invented the “Bass Bit,” still used today to protect horses’ mouths during training.
Tom Bass’s legacy lives on, celebrated on our West Bottoms Urban Hike as we walk past the historic American Royal grounds at HyVee Arena.
Hattie: A Story of Strength and Survival
The Harris-Kearney House in Westport holds a powerful piece of Kansas City’s Black history through the story of Hattie, a formerly enslaved woman who lived and worked there. Her life reflects the reality many African Americans faced in Missouri before emancipation.
On Christmas Day in 1855, nine-year-old Hattie was purchased at an auction by Col. Charles Kearney for $1,300. Just two years later, he granted her freedom—but as a young African American woman with no place to go, her options were limited. Kearney hired her as a housekeeper, and she remained with the family for decades, helping to raise the Kearney children. Hattie lived with them until her passing in 1927 and was buried in the family lot at Union Cemetery, making history as the first African American laid to rest in the cemetery’s white section.
Her story is one of resilience, pushing forward despite unimaginable hardships. Today, her life is finally being recognized through historical research, ensuring her contributions aren’t forgotten. Visitors to the Harris-Kearney House can learn about Hattie’s experience and reflect on the broader history of African Americans in this region—stories that deserve to be remembered and told.
Explore Black History with Urban Hikes KC
Kansas City’s Black history is woven into the city’s fabric, and you can experience it by walking the streets where history happened. Join us on our West Bottoms Urban Hike to learn more about Tom Bass and his contributions to the American Royal, or explore Taste Your Way Through KCK to walk by Bishop Ward High School, where Ed Dwight Jr.’s journey began. Along the way, you’ll hear stories of resilience, perseverance, and excellence that continue to inspire today.