05/28/2026
This May, celebrate Preservation Month by sharing your memories, photos, and stories of Historic Downtown Liberty. Whether you’ve lived here for decades or just moved, your experiences are part of our shared history!
Thank you Sue Wright for sharing your photo and fantastic details: 📖
"Memories of Liberty Downtown 1962: I came to Liberty from Raytown Missouri to attend William Jewell College in 1962, a trip that could be made from my hometown to the Liberty Square without stopping at a single traffic light. There just weren’t any in those days as you drove 71 by-pass to Jewell.
Raytown was a town without a square so finding one within walking distance from the college was not only enchanting to me but a godsend. Few co-eds had cars in those days, which made downtown Liberty the go-to place for all the everyday essentials a girl could haul up The Hill and into her room in a few bags.
It just happened that my Aunt Maurine Konrad was one of the directors of the Clay County Election Board which was housed at the time down a steep flight of stairs barely off Kansas. Equally convenient for stopping by my aunt for a chat were my longing stares into the window of the Lucille Davis dress shop which stood directly across the street from the Election Board. My aunt loved having me so close and often rewarded my visits with money to buy something at the dress shop. I remember most a trench coat purchased on Aunt Maurine’s penny.
My only other coat on campus until then was the raccoon-collared one that was all the rage that year.
For sure, I can’t recall all of the businesses that graced downtown Liberty in those salad days of mine, but I do fondly remember these: Mr. Scott’s dime store, Boggess Hardware, Bortko Fabrics, Bedingers Furniture, Whiteside Jewelry, Brants, a couple of banks, Breipohl’s Pharmacy, Beggs Drug Store, two shoe repair shops, a laundromat, the Bank Vault gift shop, and Fishers Flowers. Beggs soda fountain served sundaes in fluted glasses accompanied by cute little spoons. What a treat a butterscotch sundae was when you were used to eating the college cafeteria fare. On occasion, my parents would come to Liberty on a Sunday to take me to Miller’s Restaurant situated just off the main drag. Talk about a treat!"
How to Participate:
1️⃣ Upload a “Then” (historic) or “Now” (recent) photo of your favorite downtown spot, event, or volunteer experience.
2️⃣ Tell Your Story: Along with your photo, tell us:
▪️ What’s your favorite memory of downtown Liberty?
▪️ How have you been involved with HDLI or volunteered over the years?
▪️ What changes have you seen in the community, and why is preservation important to you?
▪️If you don't have photo's, no problem, you can just share memories.
3️⃣ Submit Your Entry: Complete the form to share your photo and story.
One lucky participant will win a $100 gift card to use at any downtown business!
Upload Your Photo & Share Your Story Now: https://historicdowntownliberty.org/event/preservation-month-then-now-2026
Submission Deadline:
Please submit your photos and stories by Sunday, May 31st.
