Ladies and gentlemen, boys and girls, ThrowBack Thursdays have returned! This week, we wander back to June of 2018, when I had a most excellent vacation in Missouri. Many of my east coast acquaintances asked me at the time why anyone would want to spend vacation time in Missouri. But everyone who is already familiar with Missouri knows that it is a beautiful state, with plenty to see and do! For this trip, I flew into Kansas City and spent a few days there, before wandering out across the southwest and middle parts of the state over the course of several days, making my way to Saint Louis for a few days, and eventually flying home from there.
Part of the reason I wanted to vacation in Missouri is that I am an architecture fan, and both of the state’s major cities have splendid historic railroad stations, each of which has been painstakingly restored in recent years. Wow. That may be the first time I’ve ever typed the word “splendid”. At any rate (except 3.5 joules/furlong), let’s start with Kansas City’s Union Station, shall we?
I don’t know what year this part of the building was added, but it’s not original.Aerial view of terminal. Everyone parked as far as possible from the Tyrannosaurus.I pledge allegiance to The Time!For a sense of how colossal this place is, look for the grown man in blue.This is actually inside the terminal.Ornate ceiling inside the terminalThe ceiling inside the terminal is ornate and extremely high. But how high is it?…the top of this photo isn’t even halfway to the ceiling……the arch in the background gets pretty close to the ceiling……and these humans give you somewhat of a feel for how high the arch is.Detail of the aforementioned archPassing through the arch takes you from the terminal to the concourse.While not as intricate as the terminal ceiling, the concourse ceiling is cool too.From the other end of the concourseOne route was called the Flying Crow. Does that mean it was a straight line?Random ornateness around the station…
After thoroughly exploring Union Station, I set out on foot to photograph any other interesting architecture I might find in the immediate area. As it turns out, I might finded quite a bit…
I thought the building on stilts was pretty cool, and not just for the stilts.Just ornate enough to be interestingI regret that this was as close as I got to these skyscrapers.The tallest building in this picture is known as the Firestone Building.Detail on the Firestone BuildingFirestone BuildingFirestone BuildingDetail on the Firestone BuildingThis is NOT where I stayed.The freight depot is near Union Station, with many old warehouses close by.Looking uphill at downtownThis building houses Portfolio Kitchen & Home’s flagship storeDetail on Portfolio Kitchen & Home’s flagship storeThis was built as a United States Post Office when mail went by train.This thing is purty fer a Post Office.Eagle friezes near top of old Post OfficeDetail of old Post Office buildingYou know what, building? I like you!You can’t tell from this angle, but the Western Auto building……is a weirdly shaped building.Detail of Western Auto building
Just across the street from Kansas City’s Union Station is the National World War I Museum. This is a great museum, and definitely worth a full day visit. I normally don’t take pictures inside museums, and this was no exception. But the museum grounds are also home to the Liberty Memorial Tower, which gives great views in all directions.
Liberty Memorial TowerA different view of the building on stiltsA different view of the giant old post officeThe back side of Portfolio Kitchen & Home’s flagship storeDowntown Kansas City, MissouriDowntown Kansas City, MissouriWWI Museum groundsI like trains.U 62?
That’s it for Kansas City! Tune in next week for more of Missouri, including Ha Ha Tonka State Park.
Voyages with Parkinson's 