Construction Area

[2]
Midland Theater, 1955

The Midland Theater [2] and the Hotel President are two landmarks from the past that remain in the construction area. Loew’s Midland Theatre is a fine example of the magnificent movie theaters of the silent film era and was the third largest theatre in the United States when it opened in 1927.

[3]
Hotel President, 1955

The Hotel President [3], constructed in 1925-26, also displayed the opulence and luxury of the grand hotels of the 1920s.

[4]
Power & Light Building, 1930

This view, looking north from 15th & Baltimore in 1930 shows the Power & Light Building [4] under construction. “In 1931 the new Kansas City Power & Light Co. Building dominated the landscape as Missouri's tallest building. It rose 31 stories high, the crowning 97-foot-high pillar of changing colored lights creating a jewel-like glow visible for miles around. Decades later it remains notable both for its spectacular lighting and as a magnificent example of Art Deco architecture”.

[5]
13th & Main around 1890

There is little that is recognizable in this view looking north from the west side of 13th & Main [5] around 1890.

[6]
Main between 14th & 15th, 1940

In this 1940 shot, looking north along the west side of Main between 14th and 15th [6], small businesses still characterized the area.

[7]
Mainstreet Theater, circa 1932

When it opened as the Mainstreet Theater [7] in 1921, the Empire Theater was the largest and most magnificent of the downtown movie/vaudeville theaters.

[8]
14th & Walnut, 1930

At 14th and Walnut [8] you could still get a permanent wave for $10.00 in 1930.

[9]
13th & Walnut, 1949

While by 1949, 13th and Walnut [9] was a lively commercial center that included the University of Beauty and other small businesses on the fringes of downtown.

[10]
Grand & 13th, 1930

Looking north along Grand from just south of 13th [10] in 1930. Shows Bryant Building under construction. Davidson’s Furniture and Interiors came to KC from Des Moines in 1917 and was a fixture at 12th & Grand and an important presence in the city until they closed their last retail store at 600 Central in 1989.

[11]
Grand & 13th, 1878

In 1878, Grand Boulevard, looking south from 13th [11], still resembles a small town.

[12]
Grand & 13th, 1894

The streetscape is transformed as workers lay asphalt at Grand and 13th [12] in April, 1894.

[13]
Grand & 13th, 1922

Although streetcar tracks are visible, automobiles had already become a notable feature along Grand by 1922 [13], hinting at the force that would transform downtowns all across the United States. The sign for Cook Paint and Varnish recalls another old KC business founded in 1913, whose descendant is Cook Composites and Polymers.

[14]
American Royal Parade
on Grand, 1954

By 1954, the American Royal Parade [14], proceeding down Grand at about 14th shows how important automobiles had become in American life.

[15]
Oak & 14th, 1920

Interstate highways completely eliminated some blocks. These images, looking north from south of 14th & Oak [15] in 1920...

[16]
Oak & 15th, 1922

...and from south of 15th [16] (Truman Road), May 23, 1922, show a neighborhood which disappeared entirely as freeways intruded.