Hidden History in Overland Park

The “Hidden Histories” project has indeed revealed new information about the county’s Jewish community. Barton and Mary Cohen, community advisors for the project, have conducted extensive research on Jewish settlement in Kansas and have probably identified the first Jewish family to live in Johnson County. Their interview with William Finkelston provided new insight about the early history of Overland Park.

Sol and Dora Finkelston moved from Kansas City, Kansas, to Overland Park in 1921. William was the second youngest among their eight children — five boys and three girls. Sol was a tailor by trade and operated a general clothing store in Overland Park from 1925 through the mid-1930s. Finkelston prospered during the 1920s, when highway workers were in the area building roads and shopping at the only clothing store in town. The store was first located in the Knox building at 80^th and Santa Fe and later moved a few doors south, next to A.M. Woods’ Real Estate and Insurance Office. Other stores in the area included a Milgram’s grocery store, Hornung’s Pharmacy, another grocery store, and a cleaners.

The Finkelston family lived at 5627 W. 69^th Street in Overland Park, near the Milburn Country Club and the Strang Line. William and his brother Julius often caddied at the golf course, although the family was excluded from membership in the Country Club. William and his siblings attended Antioch School and Shawnee Mission Rural High School. William was captain of the high school’s basketball team in 1934 and played on the golf team. Initially, the children were considered curiosities, as their fellow classmates and teachers had never met a Jewish person. The Finkelstons were gradually accepted, however, and became active in the Presbyterian Church. Sol Finkelston was active in the Masons; William attended Boy Scouts at the Presbyterian Church.

Sol Finkelston and his family were not accepted, however, by everyone in Overland Park. William recalled frequent Ku Klux Klan parades and cross burnings meant to intimidate Jewish and Catholic residents. In 1933, the Finkelston’s home was burned, they believe by members of the Klan. The fire spread to neighboring homes. The Finkelstons rebuilt their home and continued to live there until about 1940, when they moved to Kansas City, Missouri.

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