In 1841, David Waldo of
Gasconade County, Missouri, was convinced by some friends to purchase land in
Jackson County, Missouri. Waldo purchased that ran from what is now Gregory to 91st Street and State Line to Holmes. In 1860, a rail line was established between Westport and Dodson, and a main stop was located in Waldo. When the rail line was converted to street cars in 1907, a brick station was built at the Waldo location, and it became known as the Grand Central Station of Waldo. Waldo was annexed by Kansas City in 1909, which pushed the southern city limit from 49th Street to 77th Street. Business began to grow around the station, including Elmer Family Grocery and Milen Drygoods. As the growth continued, the Waldo area became a main traffic artery of south Kansas City. Houses on Wornall Road south to 75th Street made way for continued business expansion in the 1930s. The
Waldo Water Tower, located near 75th and Holmes, is a local landmark and is listed in the
National Register of Historic Places. The
Alexander Majors House is another local landmark listed in the National Register of Historic Places. ==Education==