April 14, 2024 Dedication Presentation
Today we’re gathered to dedicate Powell Park in Belton. The park isn’t finished yet: the gazebo needs railings and balusters, and fancier corner brackets under the eaves. However, we wanted to celebrate today because our daughter Katie is here today from California.
The inspiration for the park came from the older park that existed where the new city hall is at Ella and Main. That park included shade trees, benches, and a gazebo (picture left). Every afternoon there were Belton residents sitting, talking, chewing tobacco (and spitting), and whittling in the park.
Our Powell family roots were the reason Pam and I returned to Belton when we retired 11 years ago. We have loved having family gatherings at our house as well as the homes of our cousins. Christmases and other holidays have meant so much to us.
When we moved to Belton, we became friends with Don Hubbard and his daughter, Connie. They owned a business on this property, Hubbard’s Plumbing (picture left). When Don became ill, Connie found the need to sell the business. We offered to buy her business and the land it was built on. The sale was rather complicated since all railroad property sales are complicated, but we had my cousin, Evelyn Tabor, ready to guide us through the process. Matt Friel, President of the Belton Grandview and Kansas City Railroad became involved due to the railroad’s ownership of the land.
Pam and I both felt that Old Town Belton really needed a neighborhood park, a green space, so that everyone from young families to senior citizens would have a parklike place to visit without having to cross Y-Highway to get to Memorial Park.
The Powell family moved to Cass County from Tennessee via Jackson County in the 1840’s (of course, we all know we can trace our family back to John Alden on the Mayflower!). Hiram and Edna Powell moved from West Union, Missouri to Kansas in response to the Civil War Order #11, and their grandson Rodney became a barber in Gardner, Kansas. Dora and Rodney Powell married in 1914 and after moving back to Grandview, Missouri, ultimately made their home just south of Belton on 205th Street. They had 5 children: Robert Vincent, William Voran, Mary Velma, Marie Velda, Delvina Vera. All but Marie Velda chose to make their homes in what is called “Old Town Belton”.
As kids, the next generation, Robert, Don, Kent, Mickey, Mary Ann, Margo, Mark, Jim, and Jane all walked these streets and went through the Belton schools. The Methodist Church was the place to find them attending Sunday School, singing in choir, attending scouts and many other activities.
And now we have two more generations! Katie, Trevor, Jeremy, Brenda, Eric, Randi, Chris, Valerie, Joan, Carol, and Sarah.
And the great-great grands: Madison, Tristan, Scout, Briggs, BreeAnna, Emma, Mick, Vanessa, James, Evelyn, Jake, Alex, BayLeigh, Kellie, and Charlie.
Pam, Katie, and I want to dedicate this park to the memory of those who have gone before, our ancestors. We want to honor the current generations and we want to hope for the future generations of our wonderful family.
We welcome our family and our friends to join us as we enjoy the park for the first time of what we hope will be many wonderful family gatherings.
Yesterday we found this quote and thought it was appropriate for today (picture left).
Thank you.