JCPRD's Photo Archive displays images of our proud history and the early developing years. As you read our history, feel free to refer to these photographs for visual effects. Each photo tells a thousand stories for us and for many of our past patrons.


For example, the Corsair Navy fighter plane was given to the District by Navy staff at the Olathe Naval Air Station in 1959. Until it was dismantled because of wear, many thousands of children climbed into its cockpit and fantasized taking off from its concrete pad in Antioch Park.

The original Dodge Town in Antioch Park was built in late 1950's and was refurbished in 1981 and 1990. The current major changes to Antioch Park will also restore Dodge Town and make the play area more accessible to the handicapped.

The barns on these pages no longer exist and were used for farming purposes. The current main entrance to Shawnee Mission Park was on the edge of a large cornfield. A large pig farm was located in an area excavated for Shawnee Mission Lake. A large orchard was cared for near the entrance to The Theatre in the Park. Park staff planted many trees and excavated much stone from within in the park in order to shape Shawnee Mission Park as we see it today.

Shawnee Mission Park,
flag pole intallation (1963)

Shawnee Mission Park,
Theatre in the Park (1970's)

Give us your feedback. If you have more information on the subjects, please email us at: info@JCPRD.com

Various articles and photos are copyright: Johnson County Park and Recreation District.
Also, various articles and photos are published with permission of The Kansas City Star.