Happy Halloween

Visit a local Haunted House

Through These Doors

Behind these doors is a haunted house.  

Neighborhood with Downtown View

It was a great fall day for a walk.  This was Monday before Tuesday's winds arrived.  I didn't realize the day I walked around this wonderful neighborhood was trash day and all those blue bins you see are emptied recycle bins.  

Wordless Wednesday

Fall is here

It was a cloudy fall day on Sunday this week.  Kansas City has beautiful fall and spring colors.  Lots of reds and oranges in the fall.  The burning bushes are started to obtain their red leaves.  You can just barely see them behind the second tree on the right.  That tall pole in the center of the photo is a tornado siren.  

Fall Colors

Vivid Reds

Another Entry

Entry

Hotel Muehleback

Built in 1915, this hotel has been visited by every President from Theodore Roosevelt to Ronald Reagan.  It was the White House headquarters for President Harry Truman when he visited his home in Independence, MO.  Truman would stay in Independence but conduct White House business in the penthouse Presidential suite.  The Beatles, Elvis and Babe Ruth were other celebrities that stayed in Hotel Muehleback.

Folly Theatre

The Folly Theatre opened it's doors in 1900.  The Marx Brothers, Humprey Bogart, Shirley Boothstar appeared here among many others.  The burlesque era brought Gypsy Rose Lee.  Currently the Folly is a not for profit organization that brings the Folly Jazz series, Harriman - Jewell series, orchestra, men's chorus, chamber music and a Kids series.

Back to old Buildings again

The Kansas City Star Building at night

The Kansas City Star printing presses.

Downtown KCMO

A different view of yesterday photo of The Kansas City Star building.  Something I didn't reveal yesterday is that the front green glass is eight stories tall and provides viewing of the printing press for the public passing by.  The red brick buiding in front of the new KC Star building is the Stars main offices.  The Star has occupied this building since 1911.  The new green building was built for printing and publishing.  Across from the KC Star building is the Sprint Center.  Although we have no professional team to occupy the Sprint Center (yet), there are many big name concerts, and events that keep it in use almost nightly.  

The Kansas City Star Building

The Kansas City Star newspaper moved into this state of the art building in 2006.  It is the size of two city blocks and took 3 years to build.  It is one of my favorite modern buildings.  I pass by this building most workdays in the early morning.  Below and in front of the building is Interstate 70.  At night the see-through green glass is a beacon to travelers who are on I-70.  In the background by all the cranes is our future Kauffman Center for the Performing Arts which will open in Sept 2011.  All the new buildings in the downtown are enhancing the KC skyline.  

KC Marathon

Down in Westport this morning, I found the KC marathoners taking it easy.  But that is ok, because having a son who runs marathons and having been at a few of the KC Marathon's finish line, I know these may have been the half marathoners and they complete the 13 miles by running and walking which is a great accomplishment. Good work marathoners!!!  Besides who wouldn't want to walk thru Westport with the fall colors starting to appear.

The best thing about this weekend and living in Kansas City is the start of college basketball.  Big 12 is the best!!!!

Municipal Auditorium

Built in 1934 the Municipal Auditorium is a multi functional facility.  The Music Hall presents Broadway plays, symphony, ballet and opera.  The Little Theatre is an octagonal ballroom.  The Arena is currently home to the Kansas City Roller Warriors.

Power & Light Building

This is an iconic landmark of Kansas City, the art deco Power and Light Building was built in 1931.  Original plans included a second building on the west side but plans were dropped after the Great Depression.  As a result the west side of the building has no windows.  The top pillar has changing color lights at night.  I have not successfully captured a night photo, but am still trying.

Details again

Not sure what this green trim is called, but I like it...

Building Detail

Harry J Epstein Building

This family own company has been in this location for 80 years, the age of the building.  They specialize in quality American made hand tools.  I plan to putz around in the store one of these days, I love tools.  This store is located in the Garment District across the street from the Phoenix Jazz Bar

Downtown Bus Hub

This photo was taken Saturday, not as many people waiting as during the work week.  During the work week this hub is very busy with buses and people.  The smaller building in the background is the Kansas City Central Library as seen here.

Fidelity National Bank Building

You may have noticed this Fidelity National Bank Building in yesterday's photo of the Kansas City Skyline. This 32 story art deco building at 909 Walnut was built in 1931 at an approximate cost of 2.8 million and has had many lives.  The Fidelity National Bank was liquidated during the Great Depression.  In 1946 under President Harry Truman the building was bought for 3.3 million and became the Federal Office Building.  Harry Truman was from the Kansas City area of Independence, MO and had an office in the former Federal Reserve Bank of Kansas City building one block away at 925 Grand.  In 1956 the then Federal Office Building became home Severe and Local Storms Service for the Weather Bureau.  The government abandoned the building in 1995 and it was purchased for 500k by a land investment company and it remained empty until it was purchased by a commercial company from Dallas for 2 million.  (Wish I had the foresight and money for that 1995 investment!)  After 9/11 the address for this building became 911 Walnut and is home to commercial and residential real estate.  The twin spires are two separate high dollar lofts.  A couple of years ago a story ran in the local newspaper about the purchase of one of the tops lofts.  Apparently there is a pool table up in one of the spires.    For more information visit this wiki site.

Downtown Skyline

Fall provides a different skyline, clear skies, brighter colors because of less humidity.

Old made Modern

Art Deco Stained Glass on Savoy Hotel & Grill

 
For Boromax

Garment District

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. 

Old Reflected in New

Thursdays photo reflection

Theme Day - Graffiti

CDP Theme Day this month is Graffiti.

SEE ALL CDP Graffiti Theme Day