Dates

• Existence: 1925 - 1929
• Usage: 1925 - 1929

Biography

The Lincoln and Lee University movement began in 1925 in order to establish a Methodist university on farmland located near what is now 75th Street and State Line Road. The land where the university would be located was where the Battle of Westport, the largest battle west of the Mississippi River during the American Civil War took place. The name acknowledged leaders from both sides of the American Civil War -- U.S. President Abraham Lincoln and Confederate General Robert E. Lee -- in an attempt to sooth divisions between the northern and southern branches of Kansas City's Methodist churches. However, the movement's supporters had difficulties piecing together the necessary property to build a university.

Meanwhile, Kansas City civic leaders and philanthropists, including developer J. C. Nichols, began planning for a university to be located near the Country Club Plaza, south of Brush Creek. They secured a charter for the University of Kansas City in 1929. When the Lincoln and Lee University movement brought the Kansas City Dental School into their fold in 1930, the two university movements merged. The new school was to be called "Lincoln and Lee, the University of Kansas City." However, the two groups did not come to an agreement on future plans for the university. The Methodist Church dropped its ties with the combined movement and the Lincoln and Lee name was abandoned.

Information from the University of Missouri--Kansas City website.

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