From Past to Present: Unveiling Belton’s Story
The City of Belton today is a vibrant and thriving community that cherishes its rich history while embracing modern growth and development. It is home to a diverse population that values small-town charm, strong community bonds, and a high quality of life. Belton offers a wide range of amenities and services, including excellent schools, recreational facilities, parks, and a variety of local businesses that contribute to its economic vitality.
With its strategic location in the Kansas City metropolitan area, Belton provides residents with easy access to a multitude of opportunities for employment, entertainment, and cultural experiences. The city continues to see ongoing revitalization efforts, particularly in its downtown area, where historic buildings are being preserved and repurposed to create a dynamic mix of shops, restaurants, and community gathering spaces.
Belton takes pride in its strong sense of community, fostering a welcoming and inclusive environment for all. Residents actively engage in local events, festivals, and community initiatives, creating a vibrant social fabric.
Whether you're a longtime resident or a newcomer, the City of Belton offers a place to call home that combines a rich history, modern conveniences, and a strong sense of community spirit. It's a place where you can enjoy the best of both worlds – a close-knit community with access to the opportunities and amenities of a larger metropolitan area.
Preserving its history while embracing the future: Proud Past - Bright Future
City of Belton
Belton was founded in 1871 and named after Captain Marcus Lindsey Belt, who donated land for the town's development. It initially served as a depot along the Missouri Pacific Railroad, playing a significant role in the transportation of goods and people.
In its early days, Belton was primarily an agricultural community, with farming and livestock playing a vital role in the local economy. The city's strategic location near the railroads and stockyards contributed to its growth and prosperity.
Over the years, Belton experienced periods of growth and transformation. In the early 20th century, the town began to evolve from its agricultural roots and saw the development of a vibrant downtown area along Main Street. This period marked the rise of local businesses, shops, and services that catered to the needs of the growing community.
In recent years, Belton has witnessed revitalization efforts aimed at preserving its historic charm while embracing new opportunities for growth. The downtown area has seen investments in preserving and restoring historic buildings, creating a vibrant atmosphere for residents and visitors alike.
414 Main Street
The building at 414 Main Street was built in 1894 by Andrew Carson Hawthorne (1843-1928, 85; born Washington County, Virginia; died and buried Belton) on land that he had purchased in 1886. The building was housed a grocery and dried goods store for 56 years run by Mr. Hawthorne and then his son.
In 1886 Mr. Hawthorne opened a grocery store in a small wooden building at 320 Main Street known as A.C. Hawthorne Groceries. In 1894, he moved his store into his new building at 414 Main Street, which was 80-ft deep. Mr. Hawthorne added dry goods alongside the groceries in 1898.
Mr. Hawthorne was born in Washington County, Virginia. His parents immigrated from Scotland in 1839 and moved from Virginia to North Carolina when he was a child. According to family history, he joined the Confederate Army at 19 and was a prisoner of war in Elmira, New York gaining release at the end of the war when his Aunt-in-law in Illinois sought help from her acquaintance Andrew Jackson after his Uncle's attempt to ask his acquaintance Abraham Lincoln for help with thwarted by the assassination. Shortly after being released Mr. Hawthorne came to Missouri in 1866 when he was 23. In Cass County he first ran a farm just West of Belton. Throughout his life, Mr. Hawthorne continued to add to his land holdings in Missouri and Kansas. He married Mary Jane Ross (1859-1947, 88; born North Carolina, died Jackson County, Missouri; buried Belton) of Southern Jackson County in 1874; she was the daughter of Captain John Ross.
Mr. Hawthorne had the first telephone service in Belton when a phone was installed in his store in 1902 and another in his home shortly afterward.
In January 1901, Mr. Hawthorne's son, Edwin Eugene Hawthorne (1880-1963, 83; born Sumner County, Kansas; died and buried Belton), joined the company as a partner, and James Frank George (1875-1937, 61; born Napton, Missouri; died and buried Belton) the Hawthorne's son-in-law bought 25% of the business. The business was renamed A.C. Hawthorne & Co. Mr. George and Edwin had been working in the store.
Mr. George was a husband of the Hawthorne's daughter, Anna Laura (1878-1937, 58; born Ashe County, North Carolina; died and buried Belton), and the brother of E.K. George of E.K. George & Son funeral home.
Edwin married Maude Ellen (Yost) Hawthorne (1886-1978, 85; born Cass County; died Kansas City; buried Belton) on June 27th 1902. Mrs. Hawthorne's Father William E. Yost (1839-1909, 69; born Jessamine, Kentucky; died Belton, buried Raymore), was a pioneering farmer in Cass County, arriving in Missouri in 1852 with his parents.
In February 1903 A.C. Hawthorne & Co was dissolved when Edwin bought out his father's interest and that of Mr. George acquiring all of the business and the building. The business was renamed E.E. Hawthorne Dry Goods & Groceries. Mr. George became a salesman for Ridenour-Baker Grocery Co of Kansas City selling products throughout Cass and Jackson Counties. The elder Mr. Hawthorne retired.
The younger Mr. Hawthorne later added a 50-ft deep warehouse to the back of the store bringing the building’s depth to 130 ft.
Edwin and Maude Hawthorne ran the store until 1950 when they sold the store after Mr. Hawthorne had a stroke. He eventually died on December 21st 1963 from a heart attack at his home at 110 South Scott Avenue. Mrs. Hawthorne died on June 31st 1968 at the home. James George and his wife lived next door to the Hawthorne’s’ at 108 South Scott Avenue.
Throughout their lives the younger Hawthorne's invested extensively in property and inherited land from their parents. They also owned a 600 acre farm. Hawthorne drive is named after the family. The couple had no children and after Mrs. Hawthorne's death the executors of her will sold off the properties at auction to the benefit of the couple's extended family.
Besides helping the store Mrs. Hawthorne also served for a time as chair of the Bank of Belton and as a director. She was also president of the Belton Cemetery Association until her death and was active in the Garden Club giving a presentation to the club just two months before her death.
The Hawthorne’s sold the store in May 1950 to G.S. Melaney of Olathe, Kansas where Mr. Melaney was already operating a dry goods store. Robert Homer Burke (1924-2001, 77) an employee at the Olathe store move to Belton to manage the new store which was renamed Melaney’s. However in June 1955 Mr. Burke himself bought the store, rebranding it Burke's. Mr. Burke closed the store in late 1959 to open an insurance agency in Belton for North Western National Life Co. He also served as president of the school board in the 1950s.
The building was then occupied by a Singer Sewing Machine Center for a short time before Charles Robert Todd (1930-2003, 72) and his wife Catherine Todd (1932-2017, 84) opened Todd's TV service in 1960 which they ran for 36 years until the couple retired in 1996.
Most recently the building, which is now owned by Chris and Michelle Richardson, housed their Main Street Performing Arts Center which they moved next door to 410-412 Main Street in 2020 but which has recently closed. A coffee shop Random’s Coffee opened in the building at 414 Main Street on June 30th 2023. During the renovations a sign painted on the brick wall was revealed from the days of the A.C. Hawthorne & Co. It has been left exposed and preserved.
