Pillar

Kansas City Central Library

New York Life Building

One of Kansas Cities true treasures, located in the Library District downtown.  The block around the library has beautiful historic buildings.  This one was KC's first skyscraper with 10 stories built in 1890.  It was the first building in Kansas City to have elevators.  The Roman Catholic Diocese of Kansas City  and St Joseph purchased the building in 2010 for administrative offices and catholic charities.

Central Library II

More details from inside the lobby.

Library Vault

The old bank vault is now a movie theatre.

Central Library

This lobby was originally built as a bank lobby in 1906.  This was magnificently rich and appropriate space for a bank lobby.  The library consists of five floors, the lobby houses popular reading materials.

After a buy out of the bank I worked for in New Mexico, I was brought to KC and worked for this bank.  Not in this particular building but I visited this building many times as it housed the administrative offices of the bank.  After many buyouts my department was downsized and I have found my way elsewhere.  I remember special evening events held on these marble floors.

Parking Garage

Downtown in the Library District

Kansas City Public Library

If only that truck would've moved.  I've showed this building here and here.

Kansas City Central Library

Another early morning shot this one of the KC Central Library.  This building was built in 1906 and housed a bank for most it's history.  It became the Central Library in 2004.  I also showed this photo here,

Art Deco Stained Glass on Savoy Hotel & Grill

 
For Boromax

Savoy Grill

Savoy Hotel

The Neo-Classical and Art Nouveau hotel was built in 1888.  It offered turn-of-the-century elegance to political and stage personalities as well as cattlemen, grain merchants and travelers heading west. 

Kansas City Central Library

First National Bank Building built in 1906.  Opened as the KC Central Library in 2004.  The lobby is a rich expanse of marble which was a portrait of wealth when it was a bank lobby.   There were many people waiting outside for the library to open on this day.

Doors to KC Public Library

Embellished double-leaf bronze doors

Woods Building

Under Restoration.  Built in 1888, the Woods Building was home to several prominent physicians, including a female Dr Martha C. Dibble.  She was one of only a few female doctors in late 19th century Kansas City

The University Club

Today this is the Kansas City Club originally the third location of the University Club established by 10 alumni of 6 local higher education institutions.  This was originally establishes as a private men's social club.  It is still a private club today.  The building was built in 1922, the club was established in 1882.

Carbide and Carbon Building

The Carbide and Carbon Building was built during the Great Depression.  Kansas City displayed unusual growth during this period.  Many of the old building I have displayed on this blog during the last several weeks are in the block known as the Library District and I have found my information off the Library District Walking Tour.  I cannot even begin to express how I've enjoyed learning about these buildings for this blog.

This was the first street I became familiar with prior to my move to Kansas City.  The bank I worked for in New Mexico was purchased by the bank formerly occupying the now Kansas City Public Library.  Pictures are forth coming of the Library.  I was awed with this area.

Graphic Arts Building

This building was constructed in 1915 for business in publication and graphic arts.

Burnap Building

The Burnap Stationary Building was built in 1909.  Burnap Stationary was one of the largest stationary and office supply companies in the United States.

Back to old Buildings

This 12 story New England National Bank building was built in 1930 and rehabilitated in 2004

More New England Building

I love the craftsmanship and detail of these old buildings.  They all have the name of the building crafted right into the building itself.