Iconic covered wagon at ‘Old Westport’ replaced Wednesday morning

KANSAS CITY, Mo. (KCTV) - There are few sights in Kansas City that evoke such strong feelings as the covered wagon at Westport.

But the landmark at Southwest Trafficway and Westport Road is being removed after more than 60 years.

Cooper Weeks has owned the Old Westport Shopping Center since 1981, and he said the wagon had been there well before he took over.

His family made the decision to replace the wagon and said it had been deteriorating for years. Most recently, it had been held up by straps and wood has been withering away.

Even though the former wagon is retiring, Weeks said it was important to replace the space with a new one.

Records show that Old Westport was first settled in 1831 by Isaac McCoy.

The area is known as a key portion of the California, Oregon and Santa Fe Trail. Weeks said keeping a wagon at the intersection in old Westport will preserve the neighborhood’s history.

“All of the people that live around here just say go to the wagon,” Weeks said. “This is Westport Road, so all the supplies came right through here to the west, it’s the centerpiece for Westport.”

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