Kauffman Center for the Arts, Kansas City, Missouri, Interior

I feel like these images speak for themselves; it is one of the more amazing spaces I have visited in a long time.

Kauffman Center for the Arts, Kansas City, Missouri

I was completely stunned at the incredible new performing arts center just south of downtown Kansas City. I was in particularly impressed at the ingenious and innovative design of the building, which dominates the skyline. Daring architecture has always been present in American cities, and it's nice to see they chose not to look to the past but towards the future.

Downtown Kansas City, Missouri

Bronze Door, World War I Memorial, Kansas City, Missouri

Apex, World War I Memorial, Kansas City, Missouri

I never realized before, but there are four sculptures at the top of the monument, each facing a different direction. They're all identical, more or less, despite my thinking that they weren't from the ground.

World War I Memorial, Kansas City, Missouri

Designed by Harold Van Buren Magonigle, the Liberty Memorial, or more commonly referred to as the World War I Memorial, towers over southern Kansas City. It is fascinating in its design, as I am not readily able to identify any architectural archetypes upon which it is based.

A sleek, slender shaft of limestone juts up out of a simple plaza of the same stone, and then is topped with a large oblong globe.

Described by one source as being Egyptian Revival, I fail to see any strong connections to that style other than in the fluting on the shaft of the memorial.

The surrounding structures, which once held museums dedicated to the war, are in fact in a severe Egyptian Revival style.

Shrouded sphinxes flank either side of the approach to the main monument.

Signs, Signs, Everywhere Signs, Kansas City

I loved the gigantic signs that still sit atop the roofs of many office buildings and warehouses in the valley south of downtown Kansas City.


There are painted signs as well, though this one certainly looks new or restored.

Onassis Modern Building, Overland Park, Kansas

I don't know why I like this building, but its combination of classical elements and simple lines are appealing to me.I think it was just an office building or doctor's office.

Kansas City Power and Light Building

The Kansas City Power and Light Building was the tallest skysscraper in Missouri for decades, only surpassed by a modernist skyscraper in St. Louis.Its Art-Deco detailing once features a dramatic light show when the building first opened.Hoit, Price and Barnes designed this remarkable building, as well as other buildings around the city.Again, how did St. Louis not get around to building so many tall buildings during this era, even though it was a larger city?

Abandoned Delta Wing Gas Station, South Kansas City, Missouri

We think this gas station was still occupied but turned into a mechanic's shop.

Old School Denny's, South of Downtown Kansas City

Warehouse District, Kansas City, Missouri

The area southeast of downtown Kansas City is filled with warehouses, junkyards and other scattered buildings; you might not notice if you're speeding by on one of the city's many parkways.

Every city seems like it has to have this functional part of town, the equivalent of east of Broadway in St. Louis.

The interesting building materials and signs, however, always make these parts of town interesting.

There always seems to be a couple of diners, a few bars and a scattered of other businesses that supply local workers with lunch and after work entertainment.

The Neighborhood Around Holy Name Church, Kansas City, Missouri

As you can see there are beautiful houses surrounding Holy Name Catholic Church.I'm sure while the church still stood it was an amazing street to walk down.