[Congressional Record Volume 171, Number 122 (Wednesday, July 16, 2025)]
[Extensions of Remarks]
[Page E681]
From the Congressional Record Online through the Government Publishing Office [www.gpo.gov]




           CELEBRATING THE CITY OF RAYTOWN'S 75TH ANNIVERSARY

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                          HON. EMANUEL CLEAVER

                              of missouri

                    in the house of representatives

                        Wednesday, July 16, 2025

  Mr. CLEAVER. Mr. Speaker, I rise today to honor the City of Raytown 
as it celebrates the 75th anniversary of its incorporation as a city. 
Finding its foundations as a crossroads for road-weary travelers, this 
city remains one of the warmest and most welcoming communities in my 
district.
  Raytown's rich history begins long before its incorporation, 
stretching back to the 1820's when pioneers transversing the Santa Fe 
Trail built a small settlement there. A mere day's journey from 
Independence via covered wagon, Raytown represented the final township 
for settlers and adventurers to stock up on supplies. Cattle, oxen, 
fresh fruits and vegetables were commonly purchased from farmers in the 
area. Skilled laborers such as blacksmiths, wagon repairmen, and iron 
workers began to settle in the area as well, responding to a growing 
need for their expertise along the wagon trains.
  One such laborer, a blacksmith named William Ray, moved to Jackson 
County in 1848 and established his forge at the crossroads of the Santa 
Fe Trail with other local trails. Ray's shop, and even Ray himself, 
soon became a prominent landmark, and by 1854, the area was known as 
``Ray's Town,'' which eventually turned to ``Raytown''. The city's 
legacy as a center of trails and as a rendezvous meeting point, echoes 
today in the community's strong network of parks, historic sites, and 
trails throughout the city.
  A century after people began to call the area Raytown, residents 
acted to legally incorporate the city on July 17, 1950. They mobilized 
in response to Kansas City's annexation of surrounding towns and began 
signing petitions to remain a distinct locality from Kansas City, 
showing the same streak of local pride, fierce autonomy, and initiative 
that still embodies Raytown and its residents 75 years later.
  Raytown's community has changed substantially since its advent, from 
the city's agrarian roots to a suburban business hub. The city began 
with a single store, a post office, and a doctor's office, but 
currently hosts over 2,500 businesses, a testament to how the city has 
expanded over the years. Its proximity to Kansas City and small-town 
charm makes it appealing to city commuters looking for a slower pace to 
life. Just over 30,000 residents call Raytown home, truly making it a 
small city with huge opportunity. Raytown's residents can enjoy a 
thriving community that offers a wide variety of amenities. Visitors 
stop by to enjoy Raytown's rich history, including the Rice-Tremonti 
Home and Cave Spring--both former campsites for wagon trains--as well 
as the Santa Fe, Oregon, and California Trail crossings.
  Raytown's welcoming atmosphere and small-town feel exemplify the 
values of Missouri's 5th District, and the city's recent revitalization 
efforts come just in time for our district to welcome thousands of 
international visitors next year for the 2026 World Cup. As Raytown 
prepares, I am sure that visitors will experience the same hospitality 
that I know so well. On behalf of Missouri's Fifth Congressional 
District, I congratulate Raytown on its 75th Anniversary of 
incorporation and may its community enjoy many more years of prosperity 
and fellowship.

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