Hickman Mills - Kansas City, MO

Hickman Mills began as a settlement for farmers, wagon builders and blacksmiths near the junction of the Santa Fe, Oregon and California Trails in the 1820s. More settlers came after 1845 when Randall Allen surveyed the area. The city received its name from Edwin Alfred Hickman, a farmer who bought 40 acres and built a mill.

Hickman Mills suffered a population decline during the Civil War when Quantrill's raids ravaged the area. Many of the oldest structures were built in the 1920s. A large tornado struck in 1957, ripping down nearby Ruskin High School and killing 44 people. Hickman Mills became part of Kansas City when the larger city annexed the suburb in 1961.

The remnants of the old trail junction remain at the intersection of Interstates 435, 470, 49 and U.S. Highways 71 and 50 just north of Hickman Mills. Most of the area's annual events occur in Grandview.

Several surrounding areas contain restaurants, bars and nightlife favored by loyalists on a regular basis. Inexpensive American and ethnic cuisine abounds from these mom-and-pop restaurants. Bring your appetite for large portions and hearty meals. Most eateries exist on Blue Ridge Boulevard along the east side of the neighborhood.

Just east of Blue Ridge Boulevard sits Cajun Cabin, a hidden gem with authentic Creole food that gives Kansas City a taste of New Orleans. Five specialties dominate the menu, but the shrimp and corn chowder stands out from the rest. Chefs mix seasoned shrimp with diced potatoes, cream corn, cream of celery soup, cream of mushroom soup and Creole seasoning. Cooks prepare the diced potatoe in crab boil seasoning, and a bit of half and half blends the flavors together. The shrimp etouffee comes with diced tomatoes, onion, celery and garlic served over a bed of rice for a delicious anytime meal. Each dish contains mild seasoning and hearty blends of meat and vegetables to satisfy any appetite. Spring China features more than 100 combinations of soups, sides, platters and specialties. The eatery has 27 lunch specials for patrons on the go who need to grab a quick bite on a lunch break. The four seasons special contains all kinds of meat mixed with vegetables and cooked in special four seasons sauce. Triple delight comes with mixed vegetables for a normal dinner or garlic sauce for spicy and savory flavors. If chicken or shrimp over rice does not fit your fancy, the spare ribs dinner saves the day as an American taste on the menu. Try the king cab rangoon appetizer for an appealing treat before your main meal.

Paul's Drive-In specializes in all-American food the way restaurants used to make it during the heyday of drive-ins. The huge, deep-fried pork tenderloin sandwich with a basket of onion rings characterizes the best food on the menu. The ambiance looks similar to a 1950s car hop with the old sign, red chairs and unassumingly small service counter. Old-school burgers come to your table thick, meaty and juicy. For dessert, try the gigantic vanilla, chocolate or swirled ice cream cones almost a foot tall. Pete's Place Restaurant & Lounge sits a few miles south of Hickman Mills in Grandview, but the drive to the high-class bar and nightclub is well worth it. Local DJs play the hottest tunes for dancing, and cooks make food until 12:50 a.m. every night. A separate game room has plenty of billiards tables. Whatever drink you want, bartenders and servers at Pete's Place can make it. Special events include comedians, holiday specials and live jazz. Regular events such as dance lessons, karaoke and cards occur weekly on certain nights.

Bring your car for basic transportation as most residential streets lack sidewalks. Ride your bicycle during the day on smaller streets since most houses have driveways. Keep a sharp eye out for traffic on larger streets if you choose to ride your bike or walk.

Easily access I-49 from Red Bridge Road. One exit north of that intersection lies the conglomeration of five different highways. Take advantage of free public parking for shopping areas and schools. If your car beaks down, several taxis can come to your aid, and Uber services the area as well.

KCATA buses travel along Route 28 and stop at Red Bridge Road and Blue Ridge Boulevard starting at 4:45 a.m. weekdays and go until 9:31 p.m. This route also has Saturday service.

Longview Tract Park, just to the east of Hickman Mills, contains a huge play place for children and a large field for running, throwing Frisbees, back yard football or kicking soccer balls. During summertime, the park's "sprayground" squirts water for kids to romp and cool off at the same time. Kernoodles Park, on the banks of Kernoodles Lakes in Grandview, contains hiking and biking trails to complement water activities, fishing and small boating on the water.

The Truman Heritage Festival, held over three days in the beginning of May, marks the largest annual festival in the area. Enjoy food, live music, a carnival, and a parade during the festivities. The entire family has fun from Thursday through Saturday during the first weekend of May, just as it starts to stay consistently warm and the kids get close to completing the school year.

Expect to pay less for essentials in Hickman Mills compared to downtown Kansas City. A one-bedroom place typically costs $479 per month for rent in this simple, suburban area.

Getting to central Kansas City for work or play costs $3 for a day pass on KCATA buses. A gallon of gas runs approximately 19 percent less than the national average. Expect to pay around $4 for a pint of beer at the local watering hole.

Ruskin Heights Shopping Center, on the east side of Hickman Mills, contains some retail establishments in the neighborhood. More chain restaurants and storefronts have buildings along Blue Ridge Boulevard. Discount stores contain inexpensive, basic goods for customers on this retail strip. Save-A-Lot discount grocery store at Red Bridge and Longview marks the nearest grocery store at the northeast corner of Hickman Mills. Downtown Grandview denotes the closest farmers market during warmer months.