(Editor's note: This is the 34th in a series of "then and now" articles on places and things of interest in Kansas City, Kan., compiled by area historian Margaret Landis in observance of the 100th birthday of KCK in 1986. Much of the information has appeared in past editions of The Kansan.)

(Transcriptions are presented without changes except to improve readability.)

The Gates Family roots in Kansas and the history of the old Gates Funeral Home -- now the home of the Ronald McDonald House -- go back to 1867 when Horatio W. Gates first came here.

Gates' coming to Kansas could have been influenced by his uncle, Dr. Simeon B. Bell, who came to Kansas prior to the Civil War. Dr. Bell was the benefactor of the Eleanor Taylor Bell Memorial Hospital, the forerunner of the University of Kansas Medial Center.

Gates was born in Mansfield, Ohio in 1849. His first stop in Kansas was in DeSoto where he farmed and raised imported Clydesdale and Hiltonian horses. He sold the farm to Dr. Bell and moved to Rosedale locating at State Line and Southwest Boulevard (part of Dr. Bell's property).

Gates established a livery, stable and wagon yard. The wagon yard was used by persons traveling by horse and wagon. It provided a place to feed and rest the horses. Rooms were available for the travelers but many slept in their wagons (comparable to our present day motor inns or motels).

It was here at 29 Southwest Boulevard that he added an undertaking department. After his marriage in 1892 to Miss Mary Louther, she became associated with him in the business.

Gates helped organize the Kansas Funeral Directors Association in 1897 and served as president in 1899. Mrs. Gates was the first secretary and was elected treasurer in 1899 and served for 35 years.

In connection with their activities with the Embalmer's Board of Kansas (State Board of Health), Gates received the first embalmer's license in Kansas. Mrs. Gates was the first woman to be licensed in Kansas and Missouri (since Missouri was the first state to require the license, it follow that she was the first woman licensed embalmer in the United States).

A new frame funeral home was built in 1915 for H.W. Gates and M.L. Gates, funeral directors. It was destroyed by fire in 1917. A fire-proof brick building was erected replacing the farm one at 27 - 29 Southwest Boulevard.

After World War I, development of the property "on top of the hill" started. The move of the Bell Memorial Hospital to 39th and Rainbow Boulevard prompted many to move "from the valley." The Gates Funeral home moved to State Line and Olathe Boulevard (now West 41st Street) in 1925. The building design was three-story colonial style with large stately columns. It should be noted that very few buildings in Wyandotte County have columns.

After Gates' death in 1930, Mrs. Gates and her son, Mr. Miles Gates, continued the business. Then the grandson, John Gates, carried on until his retirement in 1980. Three generations of the Gates Family were in business in Rosedale for 94 years.

In 1980 the business was sold to McGilley Memorial Chapels. The property was acquired by the Children's Oncology Services of Mid-America, IN., and renamed Ronal McDonald House.

It was renovated and is being used as a home-away-from-home for the families of seriously ill children requiring long term hospitalization or repeated treatments for leukemia, cancer or other serious illnesses.

Funding contributions came from: McDonald's Restaurant Association, the John and Effie Speas Memorial Trust Fund through the First National Bank of Kansas City, the Junior League of Kansas City, Kan., Parents Against Leukemia and Malignancies Society (PALMS), the local foundations, organizations, businesses and individuals.

An open house was held May 21, 1982 in connection with the dedication of a new playground.