Western Blue Township

A township is, in the most basic sense, a subdivision within a county that has its own government. In 1827, Blue Township was established in the area that includes Independence. It was one of the three original townships organized in Missouri, and by 1930 it had grown to include multiple smaller villages. Today, Blue Township is considered inactive in terms of its governmental authority, but its legacy lives on in the name of the up-and-coming Independence neighborhood of Western Blue Township. Featuring well-built, modest homes on spacious lots and abundant mature trees lining the winding roads, the area has a rural feel to it, despite being less than 10 miles by car from both downtown Independence and downtown Kansas City. So while the neighborhood is reminiscent of Missouri’s agrarian past, its proximity to modern conveniences means that residents of Western Blue Township don’t need to go far to be fully immersed in the area’s cosmopolitan future.

Houses in the neighborhood are some of the most affordable in the area. The median price for homes in Western Blue Township is around $165,000, well below the median price of the greater Kansas City metropolitan region as a whole. A cozy two-bedroom/one-bathroom bungalow starts at approximately $64,000, and a more spacious three-bedroom/two-bathroom raised ranch-style home can sell for $288,000. “It’s an up-and-coming established neighborhood where people care about each other and take care of their property,” says Linda Holm of ERA McClain Brothers. “It has a good entry-level price point for first-time homebuyers, and a lot of more experienced buyers are making upgrades to existing homes.”

Students in the neighborhood can attend Pitcher Elementary, Northeast Middle and East High School. All three schools have active Parent-Teacher Organizations, giving parents a voice in their children’s education. Additionally, in-line with the idea that the neighborhood sits on the cusp of future potential, the area schools are very involved in cutting-edge technology education such as robotics. “Robotics and STEM-related programs are very popular in the area and the programs are doing very well,” says Joe Blackshere, Realtor with 1st Class Real Estate.

When it comes nearby amenities, Western Blue Township has a lot to offer residents. West Rock Creek Park is a miniature urban forest in the neighborhood, where densely-packed native trees provide the opportunity to bird-watch or just commune with nature for a little while. Nearby Phil Roberts Park has a picnic shelter with a grill, a nature trail and, in a nod to the area’s pioneering history, directional signs (with distances to various waypoints) reminding visitors of those brave men and women who traveled the famed Oregon Trail heading west. For those who prefer their activities to be of a more athletic nature, you’ll be happy to hear that Western Blue Township is just two miles away from both Arrowhead Stadium and Kauffman Stadium. That means that Chiefs football games and Royals baseball games are virtually right in your own backyard.

Most residents buy their groceries at Aldi, which is just under 3 miles away, and both Lowe’s Home Improvement and Walmart Supercenter are just across I-70 for any home projects or household necessities. When hunger strikes and you’re not at home – or you’re at home but just don’t feel like cooking – head down to nearby Dixon’s Famous Chili Parlor, the restaurant begun by Texas transplant Vergne Dixon in 1919. They’ve been serving up steaming bowls of Vergne’s secret recipe (not to mention burgers and tacos, too) to hungry diners – including former President Harry S. Truman, who was so much of a regular that he had his own table – ever since. And if you’re really hungry, their all-you-can-eat option is guaranteed to fill you up, though they aren’t responsible for any lingering heartburn.

With some of the most affordable homes in the greater KC metro area, easy access to great amenities and proximity to downtown KC, Western Blue Township is a neighborhood worth considering. It’s got that combination of rural feel and modern convenience that is so hard to find, and while its name reminds people of Missouri’s past, the neighborhood is laser-focused on the future.

Written By

Andrew Spencer

Photography Contributed By

Brooke Wasson

Video By

Tyler Belile