Turning to the Great CP hive mind

[Misplaced_Chiefs_Fan]

OK, I've got an opportunity to do a pulp story set in Kansas City in the 1950s. Yes, I am going to do my own research, but any of you could point me in the right direction for things like big jazz clubs, jazz musicians, crime bosses, other city landmarks that were around in the 50s, etc., it would probably save me a whole lot of time tracking down stuff I might not need.

Besides, I need characters for the book. Let's just say, people who give me actually useful information might get a walk-on in the book. WooWoo

And look, just because Skip's not around doesn't mean some of you either know of or know someone who might be able to help out here. :skip:

Thanks in advance.

(This will be the second story I'm doing with these characters. If interested in the current incarnation, you can check it out <a href="http://www.amazon.com/Charles-Boeckman-Presents-Johnny-Nickle/dp/1484894707/ref=sr_1_4?ie=UTF8&qid=1368038153&sr=8-4&keywords=charles+boeckman">here</a>

[Bowser]

Study up on the Civella crime family. Pretty big players back in the day, from what I understand.

http://en.wikipedia.org/wiki/Nicholas_Civella

[Hog's Gone Fishin]

What's a pulp story , I think I've got some of that stuff.

[BigOlChiefsfan]

I'd suggest my old pal Milton Morris, who was quite the character: http://library.umkc.edu/spec-col/club-kaycee/jazzspot/0venue.htm

http://library.umkc.edu/spec-col/club-kaycee/jazzspot/0venue.htm#nightclubs

http://library.umkc.edu/spec-col/club-kaycee/JAZZFOLK/morrm_00.htm

[Misplaced_Chiefs_Fan]

What's a pulp story , I think I've got some of that stuff.

Although I realize HF isn't thinking of the same thing I am *thank goodness*, Pulp = Doc Savage, The Spider, Sam Spade, Phillip Marlowe, the magazines and paperbacks that were very popular from the 1920s through the late 60s.

There are several publishers who're getting back into the idea of releasing short noir or pulp stories both on line and in paperback collections, trying to revive the genre.

[BigOlChiefsfan]

And worth your time --http://www.amazon.com/I-Speak-Dead-J-Maloney/dp/0441358829/ref=sr_1_2?s=books&ie=UTF8&qid=1368914562&sr=1-2&keywords=i+speak+for+the+dead This explains the whole kc mob scene circa 1970's when the thing came tumbling down over the war in the River Quay. The author was a local reporter at the Star - he'd been in prison in Jeff City for murder, was released to one of the Star's editors after the editor had been teaching writing at the prison. When the Quay blew up, the Star had a guy who just went and bought a couple of wise guys a drink - and for the first time ever, the KC Star actually printed the facts about the local mob. The Civella's - as noted above - and a few others like 'Tuffy' DeLuna, are pretty easy to ID in this story where the names were changed to protect the guilty.

[Rain Man]

Remember that the Chiefs played in Municipal Stadium in the 1950s.

Please portray me as a phonograph repairman who is convinced that cheap, easily transportable phonograph records could replace the telephone and even the social playing field for introverts.

[Chiefshrink]

My parents grew up in KC and both went to SouthWest back in the late 50's. My father played centerfield for Folger's Coffee back in what they called the 3 & 2 League at that time. He told me stories about how when he played a certain team that had one of the crime families kid on it (that was a pretty good player by the way-Sevilla sounds right) that 3 black Lincolns would always pull up to watch the game from the cars. Dad said it was an eery feeling because everyone in the park knew who it was that was watching. Dad said his team was really good and had a great pitching staff but said all of the pitchers were not crazy about pitching to this Sevilla kid not because he was good but that they were afraid of accidentally 'beaning' this kid only to potentially suffer the consequences later on.:doh!:

[cdcox]

Might want to include the 1951 flood as a key historical event.

This article talks about some of the, shall we say, "more colorful" night clubs of the time.

http://www.oldkc.com/board/viewtopic.php?p=293

[Misplaced_Chiefs_Fan]

Some very cool leads. Thanks everyone

[Mrs. Loopner]

The site has several other museum links you might find helpful.

http://www.visitkc.com/love-kc/experience-kc/arts-and-history/history-museums/index.aspx

American Jazz Museum: Since its opening, the American Jazz Museum has hosted thousands of world-class jazz performances, displayed dozens of compelling exhibition, presented countless education programs and community events and nurtured a unique artifact & film collection.

KC Museum and Storytarium: The Kansas City Museum is Kansas City’s first and most important museum of local and regional history. The museum is housed at the former urban estate of lumber baron and civic leader Robert A. Long and his family.

National Archives: The National Archives at Kansas City is one of 14 facilities nationwide where the public has access to Federal archival records. This includes documents, photographs, maps and architectural drawings from 1820s to 1990s created or received by federal courts and more than 100 federal agencies.

Negro Leagues Baseball Museum: The Negro Leagues Baseball Museum is dedicated to preserving the rich history of African-American Baseball. Guests can experience multi-media displays, museum store, photographs and artifacts dating from the late 1800s through the 1960s.

http://www.thekctours.com/gangster-tour.html
Kansas City “Gangster Tours” are available every Saturday at 1pm, departing from Union Station.

The tour highlights infamous crimes like the Union Station Massacre, shows the locations of speakeasies and gambling halls and explains how liquor flowed freely during prohibition. The homes and workplaces of crime bosses and the sites of major turf wars are also featured on the tour.

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[Sweet Daddy Hate]

I simply wish to congratulate you on turning to the CP Braintrust first. You've made a wise life-decision.
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[Thig Lyfe]

As far as minds go, CP is more akin to a box of Honeycomb

[Sweet Daddy Hate]

As far as minds go, CP is more akin to a box of Honeycomb

It's the Honeycomb Hideout.
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[oldman]

The Chiefs didn't play at Muni until 1963. Old Muni was the home of the KC Blues and Monarchs until the A's came to town in 1955. BTW, it was known as Muehlebach Field, Ruppert Stadium, and finally Blues Stadium until the A's moved in.
I think you might want to include references to the stockyards for local flavor (no pun intended). GM was king with plants in Leeds making Chevys and the former North American plant in Fairfax making Buick, Oldsmobile, and Pontiac cars, hence the nickname "The BOP".
If you're looking at 1955 or so, you'd have to include H. Roe Bartle (Chief).
Kansas residents had Minnesota Avenue for shopping unless you went "overtown", that is downtown KC, Mo.
Ethnic neighborhoods were still in fashion. Strawberry Hill had the eastern Europeans that came to work in the packing houses and it was further subdivided by country, each with it's own Catholic church. Little Italy in the North End was another.
TWA had it's corporate headquarters in Kansas City until the mid-50s.
Hope that helps.

[luv]

I simply wish to congratulate you on turning to the CP Braintrust first. You've made a wise life-decision.
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He's from the days when people knew and respected each other. Notice how people actually give him what he asks for? That's how things used to go around here.

[Gonzo]

My grandmother witnessed a mob hit in KC in the late 30's. I don't know much more about it since she died when I was really young.

Glad I could help.

[Mojo Jojo]

Kansas City had a good size street car system up until 1957.
https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=cD1Fglkn8xM

[Dayze]

This is awesome.

Kurt has relatives who have blown many of dignitaries.

KC rules

[bevischief]

PM me and I put you touch with my dad.

[Rasputin]

What's a pulp story , I think I've got some of that stuff.


The person poured a glass of orange juice and drank it.


The End.