Martin City

In 1887, former Kansas City mayor Edward L. Martin founded a town that would later be called Martin City. As he expanded the Missouri Pacific Railroad Line and his distilling company here, Martin made this small city bustling with activity. During prohibition, several speakeasies and dance halls even earned the town a rowdy reputation. Today, Martin City maintains its entrepreneurial spirit and notoriety with standout local businesses and a close-knit community. “People love living in Martin City,” says Justin Rufus, owner-broker of Love Living Local. “It’s technically a neighborhood in Kansas City, but it almost feels like its own separate place because of the history and the community-focused atmosphere.”

Martin City also has a combination of suburban dwellings and rural residences. Find a few maintenance-provided New Traditional homes from the early 2000s with three to four bedrooms in the neighborhood’s western region. However, the most common houses are 1960s raised ranch styles and 1920s bungalows on quarter-acre lots. “The area is growing right now, and most of the older homes are well-priced, so they’re popular for people looking for a renovation project,” says Rufus. To live in Martin City, expect to pay between $250,000 and $450,000, a range similar to a Kansas City home’s average $250,000 selling price.

Throughout the 1970s, local restauranteur R.C. Van Noy opened a plethora of eateries in Martin City, cementing the neighborhood’s nickname as “Restaurant City.” Located in an old Methodist church, R.C.’s namesake establishment is revered for its fried chicken and comfort food classics. He also operated Jess & Jim’s Steakhouse, and the original Jack Stack Barbecue opened in 1957, both of which remain popular today. The neighborhood continues its legacy as a food mecca with the growing Martin City Brewing Company. In addition to the signature craft-made beers in the taproom, devour food from the company’s separate pizza joint or seafood eatery.

You’ll also find plenty of shopping options in Martin City. Pick up groceries from the Walmart Supercenter or grab landscaping essentials from Suburban Lawn & Garden. Browse the antique décor, curated teas and handmade perfumes at Gilded Lily, a locally owned boutique in one of the neighborhood’s original 1905 homes.

Children in the neighborhood are in the Grandview School District and can attend Martin City Elementary for kindergarten through eighth grade. The school hosts several community events throughout the year, including Trunk or Treat for Halloween and the Back to School Bash. Then, students can go to Grandview High School. Juniors and seniors here can participate in the Pathway and Career Program with classes focused on art, engineering, business or health science. Thanks to the school’s partnership with Longview Community College and nearby Avila University, students can also earn college credit while getting their high school diploma.

Thanks to numerous community events, Martin City is known for maintaining a small-town charm despite its big-city location. For instance, dress up in your green garb and enjoy the annual St. Patrick’s Parade, which has floats from over 60 local businesses. Honor the neighborhood’s distilling days with the Whiskey Run 5K, where a whiskey tasting from numerous local makers fittingly follows the race. Get into the holiday spirit at the Holiday Lighting Celebration with carolers, Christmas cookies and a visit from Santa Claus.

A portion of the 1-mile Oxbow Run Trail cuts through Martin City, and if you follow it south, it leads to 360-acre Jerry Smith Park. The expansive green space is home to the largest tract of prairie on the Missouri side of the metropolitan area. Wander through the wildlife, and you’ll pass blossoming white beardtongue wildflowers, 15-foot-tall native grasses and a glittering 3-acre manmade lake. The neighborhood also has the largest beach volleyball complex in the city. The aptly named Volleyball Beach has 14 sand courts ready for year-round tournaments and friendly competition. You can also work on your homerun hit at the Mac N’ Seitz batting cages and training facility.

To access the rest of the metropolitan area, hop on nearby Interstate 435, and a quick 20-mile drive takes you to downtown Kansas City. But with Martin City’s ample amenities and acclaimed character, you’ll never have to go far.

Written By

Meghan Baker

Photography Contributed By

Eric Bowers

Video By

Tyler Belile