Strang Line Car Barn

Overview

Learn more about Overland Park’s founder by visiting the Strang Line Car Barn at 79th and Santa Fe Drive. William Strang, Jr. opened a commuter railroad named the Strang Line to transport Johnson County residents into Kansas City, hoping to encourage more families to move to the suburbs.

The Strang Line Car Barn was used to store and repair the trolleys used on the Strang Line, while also providing power to the electric track. A fire in 1920 left only the stone walls standing. The car barn operated until 1940 when the rail line was closed. Eventually the tracks, surrounding infrastructure, and around 20% of the building’s original footprint were demolished to make way for other uses, but the original car barn remains.

The building has gone through several reinventions, including time spent as an auto repair shop, a towing company and a furniture store. Today it is the home of the special events venue, Stone Manor on 79th.