Development of the Porter Farm
After the Civil War, the Porter family began to sell off lots. They also began developing residential lots in 1886. Along Troost Avenue from 28th Street North, a number of prominent families built spectacular homes, leading the area to become known as “Millionaire’s Row.”
In 1929, the Porters ended their ownership of the area when J. Lee Porter sold 80 feet of property at 31st and Troost for nearly 100 times what his grandfather paid for it.
Today, the Porter farm area is home to several Kansas City neighborhoods including Beacon Hill, Longfellow Heights and Mount Hope and is bordered by other discrete neighborhoods known today as Union Hill, Central and North Hyde Park, the 18th and Vine District and Crossroads. Early 20th century maps identify other neighborhoods or “plats” now long lost to redevelopment over the last 100 years i.e., Porter Park, Porter Homestead, Beacon Hill Annex, Beacon Hill Place, Bugbee Place and Beecher Heights.
