Why is Kansas City (KC) not in Kansas? Why are there two towns of the same name in two different states? Is the town's BBQ as great as everybody says? Keep reading and you'll the answers to all of these in more as I provide a brief of the real estate nearly a half million people call home in Kansas City.

Early History

Today, KC is the largest city in Missouri. Incorporated in 1853, the territory sat square on the border between Kansas and Missouri. Étienne de Veniard, Sieur de Bourgmont, a French explorer, was the first documented European to visit the land.

Interestingly, Bourgmont had an order out for his arrest for desertion starting in 1713. However, by 1718, having never been captured, Bourgmont was recommended to receive the Cross of Saint Louis award for service to France because of his efforts to document the areas that make up modern day Missouri and Louisiana.

After the U.S. obtained the land from the French in the Louisiana Purchase, the Lewis and Clark expedition camped temporarily at what is today the Kaw Point riverfront park.

By 1821, Missouri had gained statehood and joined the Union. The city was incorporated in 1850, while the town of the same name on the Kansas side (commonly referred to as KCK) was formed as a "satellite city" in 1868.

Modern History

After beating out a neighboring city for the construction of the Hannibal and St. Joseph Railroad bridge, completed in 1869, the town's population would quadruple over the next 50 years. In 1926 the Liberty Memorial, home to The National World War I Museum, was dedicated by President Coolidge.

Famed residents include Walt Disney, Harry Truman, and J.C. Hall, founder of Hallmark Cards.

The city is also known as BBQ Town thanks, in part, to Henry Perry, creator of KC Masterpiece barbecue sauce. The town is well known for their great barbecue, which makes living on a piece of Kansas City real estate delicious too.