Lake in Troost Park

Though the peaceful lake in Troost Park remains afloat today, its surroundings weren’t exactly serene when it first opened in 1889. Troost Park then was one of the city’s first amusement parks. Imagined as a promotion for the Kansas City Cable Car Company, riders were granted free admission when they exited at the 24th Street stop. Before it was first commercialized, the land had been the plantation home of Rev. James Porter and in 1831 a campsite for Joseph Smith and his Mormon followers. The Troost Lake remains a popular fishing site for neighbors, in 2011 producing a “big-ass” goldfish to the delight of resident Olivia Riley. The video of her catching the big fish has attracted over 500,000 YouTube views.