Houdini marker unveiled in Kansas City

KANSAS CITY, Mo. (KQTV) -- Friday afternoon saw the unveiling of a marker at 10th and Main in Kansas City, the site of the first upside-down straitjacket escape by Harry Houdini over 100 years ago.

At that location, Harry Houdini performed the trick for the first time on September 8, 1915. It was next to the former Kansas City Post newspaper, which used to stand there.

The placement of this marker was the result of efforts by the Society of American Magicians and the International Brotherhood of Magicians. During the unveiling, leaders from those groups spoke about the significance of that intersection and how the publicity from the first public straitjacket escape shaped Houdini's legacy and the legacy of magicians at the time.

Near the end of the ceremony, St. Joseph area magician Lance Rich performed an upside-down straitjacket escape for a large crowd that gathered. For Rich, being part of the effort to further memorialize Houdini and his feats is honorable, as the magician inspired him.

"Houdini is a great American story. This is an immigrant from Budapest, Hungary, who comes to this country and becomes a name that we're still talking about (him)," Rich said after pulling off the escape. "Still honoring him with the plaque like this, we're still honoring him (and his) legacy, 100 years after he died, which speaks to the power of what makes America the best in America."

During the event, a proclamation signed by Kansas City, Missouri Mayor Quinton Lucas was read, declaring that the city will recognize September as Harry Houdini Month to memorialize the great entertainer.

Also at the event was John Cox of California, one of the nation's leading historians on Harry Houdini.

"Kansas City was so important to Houdini. Many firsts happened here for him. And come out and see the marker and take pride in Kansas City and what it was to Houdini," Cox said to encourage people to come see the marker. "Enjoy and maybe go across to the library and read a book on Houdini."

The marker celebrating a career moment for Harry Houdini can be found next to the fountain at 10th and Main Street in Kansas City, near the Central Public Library location.