Officially recognized as a city in 1951 the City of Prairie Village was originally the vision of the late J.C. Nichols. After the successful development of the Country Club Plaza area in Kansas City, Missouri, Mr. Nichols turned his company's direction and development toward his native Johnson County, Kansas, just a few miles from the Plaza. He had visions of transforming the rolling hills into a well-planned community of beautiful homes and neighborhood shopping centers. Construction in Prairie Village started in 1941 and by 1949 Mr. Nichols's dream became a reality when the City was named the best planned community in America by the National Association of Home Builders. Prairie Village is one of twenty-two cities in Johnson County and is the fifth largest in population with a residential population of approximately 23,500 within its 6.7 square mile city limits. |