E. J. Sweeney worked with his father in the cattle industry for a few years until he became a mechanic in an automobile repair shop where his wage was 25 dollars per week.

While working as a mechanic, he developed the idea of founding a school to teach men to operate and repair automobiles.

[1] In the 1920s, Sweeney purchased a tract of land known as Indian Village in the southern portion of Kansas City from William Rockhill Nelson.

Amenities in Santa Fe Hills included "rock roads, sidewalks,water, electric lights, telephone service, and a community interest in the Club House, a Town Hall, an open air theater, ten thousand dollar chimes, a baseball diamond, football field, tennis courts, swimming pool, and well equipped playgrounds."

The oversize lot contained a large playground, and the third floor included a series of comparatively small bedrooms for the children.