Tribute to Countryside

Nestled between Lamar and Nall, just north of Shawnee Mission Parkway is the former City of Countryside, incorporated earlier this year by the City of Mission.

Countryside was originally established in 1937 when subdivision plans submitted by Frank Hodges called for “the creation and maintenance of a residence neighborhood possessing features of more than ordinary value.” LeRoy Robinson built the first home in the subdivision at 5705 W. 61^st Street in 1938. More homes were added to this subdivision as development increased in the late 1940s and early 1950s.

Around this time, residents located in the present day City of Mission discussed incorporating the subdivision. Interested in keeping their unique neighborhood setting, a group of Countryside residents went door to door with a petition to incorporate their subdivision as a separate third class city. The cities of Countryside, Mission and Roeland Park were all incorporated by the Johnson County Board of County Commissioners in 1951. Countryside was the second smallest city in northeastern Johnson County.

This unique residential city had no businesses and only one church within its city limits. The Trinity Lutheran Church, dedicated in 1952, served as the unofficial city hall and civic center for the community. The mayor and city council members volunteered their time. Services including fire and police were contracted from the City of Mission.

Throughout the years, the citizens of Countryside remained interested in keeping their independence despite constant talk of incorporating with the City of Mission. The homes in Countryside were situated along picturesque tree-lined streets and admired for their large lots. It was a small community close to all the amenities of city life. With approximately 300 citizens and 133 homes, residents enjoyed the small town feeling without dealing with the bureaucracies present in larger cities.

In 2002 concerns regarding the mill levy increase created serious talk about incorporation with the City of Mission. At the time, property taxes were four times higher in Countryside than in Mission. The City of Countryside created a task force to consider annexation and a special election was held on December 3, 2002, to decide the city’s fate. The majority of residents voted to be annexed by the City of Mission. The City of Countryside was incorporated into the City of Mission on January 15, 2003. Although now part of the City of Mission, the community of Countryside retains its unique heritage and identity.

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