Loose Park Walking Tour

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Before there were Oreos, Americans enjoyed the Sunshine Cracker Company's Hydrox cookie, which, in 1908, became the nation's first cream-filled chocolate cookie. The cookie, and overall success of the cracker business, allowed Jacob Loose and his family to amass a fortune. Jacob and his wife Ella used their wealth to launch several philanthropic initiatives, which Ella continued after Jacob died. One of those donations included Ella buying and donating seventy-five acres of the old Country Club Golf Course in 1927 to build a park in memory of her husband. In 1941, she presented the city with the statue of her husband to honor him and his dedication to philanthropy; it adorns the entrance to Loose Park.

2. First Home of the Kansas City Country Club Historical Marker

This historical marker shares the history of this green space before it became one of Kansas City's most beloved public parks. In 1894, Scottish Americans in Kansas City developed the city's first golf course and club, Kenwood Golf Links. A fire in 1897 forced the members to rebuild their clubhouse within what is today's Loose Park area. After moving their course to this location, members subsequently established the Kansas City Country Club in 1898. The course and club moved again in 1926, leading to the sale of the land to Jacob Loose and the eventual donation of the property to the city for the purpose of building a park. The marker not only shares a chapter in the park's history but also commemorates the early history of golf in the Kansas City area. The establishment of the course demonstrated the rapid spread of the sport in the United States, from the first golf course in the mid-1880s to the establishment of Kansas City's first course.

3. Loose Park Wall Fountains (Adam and Eve)

Commonly known as “Adam and Eve,” the Loose Park Wall Fountains were dedicated in 1942 during the annual Rose Day celebration. After winning a competition held by the New Deal program Works Progress Administration, sculptor Jeanette Klein created two, large clay figures of a man and woman which were inset into the back wall of a service building near the Loose Park Rose Garden. The figures were replaced a few years later with concrete and marble aggregate sculptures using the original forms.

4. Centennial Anniversary of Japan's Gift of Cherry Trees at Loose Park in Kansas City

Many are aware of the cherry blossoms in Washington, D.C. that bloom each spring thanks to a gift of three thousand cherry blossom trees from Japan in 1912. A hundred years later, Japan marked the centennial of that gift with another sign of peace and friendship between the two nations by gifting these cherry blossom trees to Kansas City and several other U.S. cities. These cherry blossom trees in Loose Park symbolize the relationship between Japan and the U.S. Relations were positive in 1912 when Japan presented the trees to Washington, and despite being enemies in World War II, relations were strong again by the 1950s. The two nations remain allies today.

5. Pergola and World War II Tribute

The Rose Garden was first established in 1931 by the newly formed Kansas City Rose Society led by Laura Conyers Smith; it was officially named for the leader in 1965. Thousands of roses in more than 130 varieties form a circular courtyard and features statues, verandas, and a large Italian stone fountain that was dedicated in 2002. The Garden Center was built in 1957 for meetings and horticultural exhibitions and features the Japanese Tea Room. Established in 1972, the arboretum showcases more than 4000 trees. It was named for Stanley R. McLane who was president of the Garden Center Association of Greater Kansas City and the landscape supervisor for J.C. Nichols Company.

6. Laura Conyers Smith Municipal Rose Garden and Fountain

Established in 1931 by the Kansas City Rose Society, the award winning Laura Conyers Smith Municipal Rose Garden and Fountain are located at the northwest side of Loose Park. The garden was created as part of the park’s beautification plan but not officially named for its founder until 1965. It features a circular pattern of nearly 3,000 rose bushes, walking paths, pergolas, rose covered archways, benches, and an Italian stone fountain central to the garden. The Laura Conyers Smith Municipal Rose Garden offers educational opportunities, sponsors events, and continues to be a popular, tranquil destination for residents and visitors alike.

7. Legacy of Jacob and Ella Loose

Self-made millionaire and philanthropist Jacob Leander Loose (1850-1923) was born in Greencastle, Pennsylvania. After leaving high school at age 16 to work, he opened a dry goods store with his brother David in Chetopa, Kansas in 1870. He married Ella Clark in 1878 and they moved to Kansas City in 1882, where he entered the cracker business. First, he bought a controlling interest in the Corle Cracker Company with his brother Joseph, then organized and became president of the American Biscuit Company before merging with the National Biscuit Company (NABISCO).He took a break from business for his health in 1897 and upon his return in 1902, he founded Loose-Wiles Biscuit Company. The company became highly successful with the release of the Hydrox cookie (similar to the Oreo cookie before Oreo) and Sunshine Biscuits. In 1913 he started the endowment fund for Children’s Mercy Hospital, donated the largest flagpole to Swope Park in 1915, and after WWI, became active in the Liberty Memorial Association. Due to more health concerns he semi-retired in 1919 and died on September 8, 1923 in his Massachusetts summer home. In another act of generosity after his death, his will established the Million Dollar Charity Fund Association which gave resources to people in need.

8. History of the Land that Becomes Loose Park

In 1926, what is now Loose Park was part of a 74-acre parcel of land purchased by Ella Loose with the intent to donate it as a public park in honor of her late husband Jacob Loose, Kansas City philanthropist and founder of Loose-Wiles Biscuit Company. Ella gifted the land to the city the following year with five conditions: the current buildings must be removed; no roadways would be constructed in the park; no monuments or statues were to be erected without the permission of the trust; no golf links or baseball diamonds shall be built; and the land must always remain a park. However, the known history of this land dates back well before Ella Loose's purchase.

9. 19th Century History of Present-Day Loose Park

Prior to the creation of the Indian Removal Act in 1830, most of the land of what is now Jackson County, Missouri was occupied by Kansa and Osage Tribes. Under President Andrew Jackson's administration, the creation of the Act forced Native Americans to relocate to territories that were designated west of the Missouri border. Because it was furthest west, the newly established town of Westport became a major resource along the western trail routes of the California, the Oregon and the Santa Fe Trails as travelers outfitted their wagons with supplies before setting out on expedition. In 1831, land just south of Westport became occupied by members of the newly founded Church of Jesus Christ of Latter-Day Saints. Successful hatter from Ohio, Edward Partridge (1793-1840) became the first Bishop and was chosen to accompany founder Joseph Smith to establish the holy land of Zion in Missouri. Partridge left his merchandise and family, and purchased land in Jackson County, in which a portion would later become Loose Park.

10. Tour Stop 8 Replica Canon at Loose Park Historical Markers (Battle of Westport Tour)

These historical markers share information about the Battle of Westport, the most consequential battle fought west of the Mississippi River during the Civil War. The battle raged over two days throughout this part of what is now Kansas City, and while the precise location of all troop movements and engagements are not known, some of the most critical locations of the battle can be identified because of topography. For example, the land that is now home to Pembroke Hill was the high ground initially occupied by Confederates but captured by Union forces. The land that is now home to Loose Park was near the center of several known engagements and may have likely been used as an encampment and staging ground by Confederate troops in the early stages of the battle. Given the popularity of the park and its walking path, local historians chose this location for the replica cannon and a variety of detailed historical markers that were installed as part of an Eagle Scout project. For those who want to learn more about the Battle of Westport, there are several other historical markers in driving distance as well as a small visitor's center and museum that was established in 2008.

11. Charitable Contributions of Jacob and Ella Loose

In addition to acquiring this land for the purpose of creating a park, self-made millionaire and philanthropist Jacob Leander Loose and his wife Ella established a variety of charitable funds. In 1913, Jacob Loose started the endowment fund for Children’s Mercy Hospital. Two years later, he donated the largest flagpole to Swope Park. After WWI, the Loose family became an active supporter of the Liberty Memorial Association, which is today home to the National World War I Museum. Loose died on September 8, 1923, but even in death, his contributions to the city continued as his death established the Million Dollar Charity Fund Association which gave resources to people in need. Ella Loose also became a philanthropist with a particular interest in children, after losing two of her own as infants. She was a benefactor of Gillis Orphanage and established “Loose Shoe Day” in 1907, which provided a new pair of shoes and a $1 bill to the resident children. The special event was held for more than 30 years and extended to the WCA in 1927, in which the Loose family was a leading benefactor.

12. Pin Oak and Loose Park Lake

Loose Park Lake is one of the original features of the land but has been improved over the years to include paved walking paths, benches, bridges, and fountains. The Rose Garden was first established in 1931 by the newly formed Kansas City Rose Society led by Laura Conyers Smith; it was officially named for the leader in 1965. Thousands of roses in more than 130 varieties form a circular courtyard and features statues, verandas, and a large Italian stone fountain that was dedicated in 2002. The Garden Center was built in 1957 for meetings and horticultural exhibitions and features the Japanese Tea Room. Established in 1972, the arboretum showcases more than 4000 trees. It was named for Stanley R. McLane who was president of the Garden Center Association of Greater Kansas City and the landscape supervisor for J.C. Nichols Company.

13. Tour Stop 7 McGhee's Charge Historical Marker (Battle of Westport Tour)

This historical marker designates the approximate location of McGhee's Charge on October 23, 1864. This battle maneuver marked a critical turning m point in the Battle of Westport, the largest Civil War battle fought west of the Mississippi River. The marker is at the location where Confederate Colonel J. H. McGhee led his Arkansas Cavalry Regiment in an attack of Union Captain William D. McLain's Battery, resulting in a Union victory. The battle included a one-on-one fight between two commanding officers, McGhee and Union Captain Curtis Johnson, a rare scene that demonstrates the nature of warfare in smaller skirmishes where commanders were sometimes also combatants. The marker incorrectly states that McGhee was killed as he was only wounded and lived until 1870. United States troops turned back the Confederate offensive, forcing a retreat that continued in the days ahead and effectively ended Confederate hopes for controlling western Missouri and other areas west of the Mississippi River.

14. The French and the Osage Historical Marker

Located in original Osage Nation territory, this historical marker was placed in Kansas City by The Chouteau Society to commemorate the influence of the French relationship with the Osage in the Kansas City area. The French first arrived in the area in the 1700s and as a result of successful trade, the Osage became a dominant force. After multiple wars, the establishment of Fort Osage, and increased farming, the French tradesmen moved northward in the early 1800s.

This Tour is a Walking Tour.

Loose Park Walking Tour

Created by Clio Admin on June 5th 2023, 4:09:05 pm.

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Established in 1927, Loose Park is the third largest park in Kansas City. Ella Loose, wife of Loose-Wiles Biscuit Company founder Jacob Loose, purchased the land in 1926 for the purpose of establishing a public park in honor of her late husband. Over the years, Loose Park has become a popular urban park that offers walking paths, green space, a lake, fountains, and a rose garden. The land that Loose Park occupies was first inhabited by the Osage and Kansa Tribes until 1831, and has been home to the first Bishop of the Church of Jesus Christ of the Latter Day Saints, William Bent of Bent’s Fort, and successful Kansas City banker Seth Ward. It is also notable as the site of the Battle of Westport and once home to a golf course for the first Country Club of Kansas City.

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Loose Park Walking Tour

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