The KC Streetcar’s Main Street extension is on course to open in 2025 and there’s something interesting about this new line — it has an uncanny resemblance to the original.

With Editor Charm at the wheel, let’s take another look at KC’s trolley history, diving into Midtown’s retired trolley tracks.

Summit Street (partially renamed Southwest Trafficway) was home to one of Kansas City’s original trolley tracks: the Washington/Summit line.

Retracin' the original

According to KC Library archives, the line ran from the West Bottom’s Union Depot on 9th Street, wrapped around Washington Street, then traveled all the way to Midtown on modern-day Southwest Trafficway.

Imagine if the tracks still went right in front of these houses? The ease of access would have been amazing. | Photos courtesy of KC Library and KCtoday

It first opened in 1889 and, while I haven’t been able to find the exact date this route closed, I do know that all these historic tracks shuttered by 1954.

Fast forward 135 years and we’re rebuilding what once was, but with a modern flare.

Today's track

The current Main Street line starts in the River Market, about two miles to the east from where the Washington/Summit line began. The extension will bring the trolley to Midtown, with stops located not even a mile east of the original Summit Street route — Union Hill (31st + Main), Armour (35th + Main), and Westport (39th + Main).

After all is done, this is how the tracks will be laid. | Map by KC Streetcar

The new track is sitting at 97% completion, meaning it's almost ready to roll into history. Keep up with the project’s progress at buildkcstreetcar.org, and stay tuned for another ride with KCtoday's trolley series.