The West Bottoms is an industrial area immediately to the west of downtown Kansas City, Missouri at the confluence of the Missouri River and Kansas River.

The "Town of Kansas" was formed here. The first Union Station (Kansas City) was located here. It was home to the Kansas City Stockyards (now defunct) prompting the huge annual American Royal livestock show at Kemper Arena, site of the 1976 Republican National Convention.

The low lying area has been prone to floods including the Great Flood of 1951 and the Great Flood of 1993.

Jim Pendergast founded the political machine here that was furthered by Tom Pendergast that ultimately resulted in the election of Harry S. Truman as President. Jim started operations at the "Climax" Saloon on St. Louis Avenue named for a winning horse he had bet on.

External Links

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Map of Jim Pendergast Climax Saloon^* Kansas City metropolitan area | Pendergast era