City Directories indicate that "The Castaways" may have opened in late 1959, and was certainly open for business in 1960. Owner/operator Frank Dunn and his wife Eve launched the very successful venue. Quoting a Kansas City STAR, STAR Magazine article from 12-17-99, ". . the motif of the Castaways was something like Disneyland's "Pirates of the Caribbean" ride, to the point where papier-mache palm trees decorated the interior, and beach sand was spread here and there."
"Every Saturday the club hosted a hootenanny that offered a stage for anyone who had the nerve to get out on it." This opportunity became a launching point for great performers like Gene Clark and the Surf Riders, later the Byrds.
Today, there's sadly nothing but a parking lot where this place once stood. There has to be photos somewhere both interior and exterior, but we've found nothing thus far. The search continues . .
