These photos are tagged “Kansas City Crime” at the Life Magazine Archives. There is a whole set of them, without any names, descriptions or explanations. I have no idea who these people are and how are these places linked to crime. The photos are dated May 5,1950.
Speaking about great photographers – I got a note from the local photographer-extraordinaire Eric from MadnessMatrix.com with the list of his ongoing and upcoming shows:
One display running through the end of April at:
St. Michaels and All Angels Episcopal Church:67th and Nall, Mission KS.
23 photos are on display and for sale here at 12 x 18 prints (framed to 18 x 24).
Photos include KCMO, St. Louis, New York City, and the scenes from rural Kansas.
Hours 9-5, Monday to Friday, plus weekends.
Westwood City Hall:4700 Rainbow Blvd Westwood KS
12 photos are on display here, for sale at print sizes of 12 x 18
Hours are 8-5, Monday to FridayAdditionally, a number of photos will be on display and for sale in the near future at :
Thompson’s Frame and Gallery:520 County Line Rd Kansas City, KS.
“What began as an insular gang extorting local businesses in “Little Italy” in the early 1900s developed into a formidable juggernaut during Prohibition, eventually allying itself with the political engine run by boss Tom Pendergast.
One hilarious story in the book tells of the State Line Tavern, which sat directly on the state line at 3205 Southwest Blvd. Gamblers moved to the west side of a white line that divided the building if Missouri police raided the joint, and to the east if officers hailed from Kansas.”
from Open City: True Story of the KC Crime Family 1900-1950 (http://www.thechicagosyndicate.com/2008_08_17_archive.html)
Oh, and that snooker (pool hall) place is still there, but it’s a “signature loan” shop at the corner of Truman Road and Montgall.
Hmm. 3205 southwest blvd is miles within Kansas. Maybe the address is incorrect.