Historic Merriam
HOCKER GROVE Born in 1853, in Kentucky before the Civil War began, Richard Weaver (R.W.) Hocker was a notable local citizen in Kansas City from 1886 until his death in 1918. Married in 1887 to Mary Ketcham Hocker of St. Joseph, the couple raised three daughters together as R.W. developed a portion of Merriam, still known today as Hocker Grove.
R.W. Hocker was a prominent banker, lawyer, and real-estate investor who envisioned early suburban development in Johnson County. Just a few years after Merriam Park closed, R.W. developed the second largest amusement park in Merriam. Named Hocker Grove Park after its founder, the park was established in 1907 and remained in existence until 1919. Located north of Johnson Drive and west of Turkey Creek, the park was near the Hocker Electric Trolley Line (also known as the Kansas City, Topeka, and Lawrence Electric Line), which offered passenger fares of 10 cents and ran from Kansas City through Rosedale, Merriam, Shawnee, and Pleasant View. Hocker Grove Park offered hot air balloon rides, boxing matches, basketball games, picnics, and trolley parties. A large dance hall was used for dances and roller skating, and there was even a baseball diamond for the Hocker Grove baseball team. In addition to Hocker Grove Park, R.W. also created a housing development called Hocker Grove. Seventeen craftsman-style bungalow homes were built of native stone and set on large lots along wide streets. The houses were located near the trolley line, making it convenient for homeowners to travel between Merriam and Kansas City. Today, many of the original homes remain, and the Walker House now sits on the National Register of Historic Places.
12 | 2022 Merriam Community & Visitor Guide
