In The Loop: August 7, 2022
Your connection to Downtown Kansas City
The Downtown Loop Launch Party is this Friday
Kind of a “Downtown Meet-Up” … with stickers (while supplies last). Come say hi this Friday, August 12, at Rochester Brewing and Roasting Co. in the Crossroads from 7 to 9 p.m. Children are welcome. Assuming Southwest Boulevard is still torn up, be prepared to park and walk a block or two (unless you walk, bike, or use public transportation).
The Loop’s newest Founding Member!
Very pleased to announce our most recent Founding Member: Karin (Erickson) Bradford, formerly of Kansas City—but always with her heart in KC. Thank you, Karin, we appreciate your support!
Introducing Loop contributor Jennifer Parsons
My good friend and former associate at Andrews McMeel Publishing, Jen is a fan of history—with a curious mind. When she told me that she stumbled across some Downtown history, I was all ears. So, let’s begin this week’s “In The Loop” with her story, which began with an eBay purchase….
A vintage photo re-introduces KC photographer Henry Moore
By Jennifer Parsons/Special to The Loop
It was this month in 1909 when photographer Henry Moore opened his studio at 214 E. 11th Street in Kansas City. I first learned of Moore during an eBay search for “vintage Kansas City” several months ago, when I came across an old photograph for sale:
Although I’ll never know who the little girl is—there are no identifiers with the photo—I purchased it promptly. Not only can old pictures show you people and places from your own family’s past, but every once in a while you’re lucky enough to find something that illuminates the unfamiliar history around you as well.
The area where Moore’s studio was located was once a thriving part of Kansas City’s business district. It was situated on the second floor of the Brailey building, across the street from the Kupper Hotel and just down the way from popular shops such as Emery-Bird-Thayer.
Undated postcard of 11th Street looking west from McGee. Henry Moore’s 2nd-floor studio is to the right, as indicated by the large “Moore Photographer” sign. A sliver of the EBT department store building can be seen in the distance (the white or light colored building). To see what this streetscape looks like today, click here.
A description of Moore’s studio was published in the Kansas City Journal just a few months after he opened it:
February 6, 1910
HANDSOME STUDIO OPENS.
Henry Moore, Winner of Many Medals from Photographer's Associations, Is Proprietor.
The well-appointed photo studio at 214 East Eleventh street, opened recently by Henry Moore, twenty years a photographer and formerly with the K. C. Photo Supply Co. and a winner of many medals from the Photographer's Association, has many features of advantage in addition to the departments adapted to carry on a large volume of business. A new feature is the dressing rooms, a red room for the ladies and a green room for the gentlemen. The studio is beautifully furnished, and prominently located. Mr. Moore issued initial invitations for free sittings to visitors.
Source: VintageKansasCity
Moore was a popular and well-respected photographer until his death in 1947 at age 76, with studios not only on 11th Street but, over time, in other locations in the city as well. His obituary notes that “Mr. Moore’s cameras made portraits, including those of many of this area’s outstanding men, since he opened the studio…in August 1909,” and goes on to note that one of those outstanding men was … President Harry Truman.
Jackson Five mania arrives in Downtown Kansas City
This Saturday marks the date in 1971 when the Jackson Five first performed in Kansas City, at Municipal Auditorium. Michael Jackson was then 12 years old, and would turn 13 later that month. The Kansas City Star review of the concert said it was “reminiscent of a mid-60s Beatles concert” and heaped praise upon the quintet’s “amazingly intricate and varied” dance routines.
In addition to singer Evon Fair (also known as Yvonne Fair), a new band called The Commodores opened for the Jackson Five that night.
The Jackson Five
Celebrate 816 Day with a KC Scavenger Hunt
Celebrate 816 Day between now and August 16 with a friendly game of Scavenger Hunt Bingo: Discover new destinations and revisit old stomping grounds around downtown Kansas City and along the KC Streetcar route. Complete your Bingo card by snapping a QR Code or picking up a sticker at the select downtown businesses, restaurants, artworks, landmarks, and the KC Streetcar. No purchase necessary to participate in 816 Day Scavenger Hunt Bingo. Admission is free; all ages are welcome!
Your completed Bingo card is your ticket to be eligible to win raffle prizes during the Art in the Loop KC Streetcar performance at City Market on August 16 from 5:30 to 8 p.m. More details here:
LINK: Celebrate 8-1-6 Day with Us on 8/16
KC aviation history exhibit at Central Library Downtown
Kansas City’s aviation history dates to the mid-19th century and a scene right out of Oz: the first ascension of a manned hot air balloon in the city, witnessed by thousands of people spilled onto rooftops and other high vantage points. It extends from biplanes to bombers, from dusty airfields to modern airports, from flying schools to the successful pursuit of a hometown airline, TWA. Now, drawing heavily from vintage photos and other images in the library’s Missouri Valley Special Collections—and from the Kansas City Museum, the Jackson County and Overland Park historical societies, and other cultural partners—you can see the exhibit from now until June 1 of next year.
LINK: Nearest By Air To Everywhere: A Tour of Kansas City’s Aviation History
In case you missed it….
Our intern Hannah Schuh published her first feature (with cool photos) earlier this week about First Fridays. Check it out:
LINK: First Fridays... for Teens!
1922
Another look at the Brailey Building, where Henry Moore kept his photography studio in Downtown Kansas City. This view looks northwest from 11th and McGee in 1922, with what is possibly a second “Moore Photographer” sign visible on the side of the building. (The postcard view above shows his sign on 11th; this view shows his sign on McGee.) Architect Louis Curtiss, profiled in this Loop article, opened his studio about a half block south of here, the same year (1909) that Moore opened his photography studio.
Northwest corner of 11th and McGee today.
Artful City: One weekly selection with a Downtown connection
Joanna Marsh, Eden, acrylic on canvas, 30" x 40" x 1 1/2". Her exhibit “Ethereal Play: Ambient Flora & Celestial Views” is on display during First Fridays through Sept 2 at Beggars Table Church and Gallery, 2010 Baltimore Ave.
Quick Clip: The city in motion—just a few seconds at a time
Berkley Riverfront Park, Saturday, August 9.
Downtown Lens: A single image depicting the urban aesthetic
The Lyceum Building, also known as Lyceum Hall because of the luxurious 600-seat event space once located in the rear of the first floor, is located at 102-106 W. 9th Street.
Most second-hand accounts claim the building was built in 1895, but an article in the May 17, 1895, Kansas City Star states that “Architect George Mathews will take out a permit to-morrow for the Missouri, Kansas and Texas Trust Company to remodel the buildings at 102, 104 and 106 West Ninth street and convert them into the Lyceum building.”
The “new” building, completed in fall of 1895, served as a ticket office for the Kansas City, Pittsburg and Gulf Railroad and would later re-open as the Orient Hotel, followed by the Delmar Hotel. The building, however, may be best known to recent generations as the former headquarters of the Big Eight Conference.
Who are all these people?
Answering the question “Who are all these people and where are they going?”, The Loop brings you a list of some of the biggest events happening Downtown each week. Please give a friendly Downtown-Kansas City welcome to audiences and attendees of….
TODAY
The Kansas City Outlaws Professional Bull Riding Team Series at T-Mobile Center (11 a.m.)
MONDAY the 8th
Kansas City Developers Conference continues through the 10th at Bartle Hall
Father John Misty at the Midland
Thundercat at GrindersKC
TUESDAY the 9th
Imagine Dragons at the T-Mobile Center
THURSDAY the 11th
WHB’s 100 Year Celebration at the Midland
Miller Lite Hot Country Nights at KC Live! Block in P&L
Cabaret continues through the 28th at the Music Theater Heritage
FRIDAY the 12th
Michael Franti & Spearhead at GrindersKC
SATURDAY the 13th
The Lumineers at the T-Mobile Center
The Decemberists at GrindersKC
The Accidental Moguls at KC Live! Block in P&L
For a more exhaustive list of everything happening Downtown, go to the VisitKC events page and use the “regions” function to search for Downtown, Westside/Southwest Blvd, West Bottoms, River Market, Power & Light, Crown Center, Crossroads, 18th & Vine—or anywhere you want to go in the KC Metro
Until next week—enjoy the city!
Got a tip or question about Downtown KC?
Write to: tips@kcdowntownloop.com or contact The Loop via social media
Kevin Worley, Co-Publisher/Editorial
Joe Nichols, Co-Publisher/Business
Hannah Schuh, Intern
107 W. Ninth Street, Suite 210
Kansas City, MO 64105
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In addition to having access to all content, and receiving invitations to The Loop’s Downtown events, Founders Level subscribers ($200 annually, or any amount above) receive a Downtown Loop sticker, a T-shirt in their choice of fit, size, and color, and recognition on the website.
THANK YOU TO THESE FOUNDING SUBSCRIBERS WHOSE SUPPORT HELPS US BRING YOU THE KC DOWNTOWN LOOP….
Karin (Erickson) Bradford
Chris Gahagan
The Kiwinda-Tinsley Family
Todd and Donna Martin
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