Encompassing the eastern border of the Northeast Area in Kansas City is the Sheffield neighborhood, an early industrial and manufacturing section of our city. By 1910, the industrial manufacturing trades became the mainstay of the Sheffield economy. Such manufacturing plants as the Kansas City Nut & Bolt Company established in 1888 (changing to Sheffield Steel Corporation in 1925), American Roofing Company, Kansas City Cooperage Company, Sheffield Car Works and Ford Assembly Plant to name only a few brought employment opportunities to an area that was a small community in the outskirts. The close proximity of railroad transportation enabled these companies to send their goods as far as the tracks would lead.
Previous to the rise of the industrial population in Sheffield, the town itself consisted of the necessities to keep one from needing to make a trip to the big city located to its west. Sheffield had its own Frain Hotel, Oster Brothers Dry Goods, Baptist Hospital, barbershop, drugstore, butcher shop, lumber store and greenhouse as well as the Sheffield Press newspaper. Streetcars as well as horses and buggies transported the local residents to their desired destinations.
As the need for housing became evident for fulfilling the needs of this industrial employment boom, small bungalows and quaint modest two- or three-room row houses began to pop up along the hillsides. With the increase of population, the economy flourished and entrepreneurs saw the opportunity to establish more saloons and other small businesses. Schools and churches, physicians and police, fire stations and hospitals would cater to the increasing numbers of residents in Sheffield. In time, the complexion of Sheffield changed from a small hometown feel to a blue-collar industrial town.
The residents of Sheffield were a hardworking group. Many built their own homes that still stand today as they brought with them tools of the trade such as carpentry, masonry and mechanical skills. Sheffield continued to glow and expand. Men worked long hours under sometimes less than desirable conditions and made the best life as they could for their families. Baptist, Reformed and the Catholic Church offered a solid base in the community. By 1921, the new Saint Stephen’s Catholic Church on Bennington Avenue had been built in a splendor of gothic architectural design, later to become Our Lady of Peace Catholic Church. These local religious institutions provided a place to worship as well as educational facilities and social activities for the community.
As the decades age on, so does Sheffield. Many of the modest homes and small businesses have been replaced with more current business footprints. As revitalization is on the upswing in our city neighborhoods, we once again see our people of trades working. Carpenters, mechanical and masonry skilled people are rehabilitating our bungalow and modest homes that still exist as well as with new housing. Small business is making a comeback with heavy community support. Sheffield has come full circle and continues to embrace its culture, history and community in the historic area of Northeast Kansas City.
