Early scenes of the undeveloped land in Sunset Hill, tall trees along Brush Creek and a gang of road workers with horse drawn equipment building Ward Parkway are pictured on an early-day promotional post card produced and signed by J.C. Nichols.The message written by Nichols on the reverse side of the card is reproduced. The card was mailed about 1910 to Mr. J.A. Augustus, Central City, R.F.D. Nebraska. A green one-cent stamp was the postage. Ninety acres of land for building Ward Parkway was deeded to the city by the Ward estate and J.C. Nichols in 1908. The boulevard originally extended from Main to 71st. In the summer of 1919 it was extended to 77th. In 1930 the American Institute of Architects chose Ward Parkway as one of the 10 best examples of landscaping architecture in the United States. Later the boulevard was extended to 89th and then southeast to Wornall Road. In future years, when money becomes available, Ward Parkway will be continued to the east where it will tie into Blue River Parkway, now being developed by the Jackson County Park Department.Through the years fine objects of art from abroad, including fountains, benches, vases and sculpture, have been given by the J.C. Nichols Company for beautification of the boulevard. An outstanding example is the large sea-horse fountain in a huge pool at the center of the Meyer Circle. Kansas City Times, January 25, 1980.
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