The Story of Nabisco in the KC Crossroads

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In September 1911, the Crossroads were forever changed when a grand celebration was held for the opening of Nabisco's (National Biscuit Company) newest and most advanced baking facility.

Nabisco's grand opening in KC was met with a flurry of fanfare, drawing in guests from across the country. This seven-story, 200,000 square-foot facility, situated at the intersection of Central Street and Milwaukee Avenue, was the talk of the town. It opened just months before Nabsico would launch the Oreo, which would go on to be the world's best selling cookie.

The bakery was one of the largest and most modern in the country when it was built -- the event's guests marveled at the modern technology of the bakery, with production starting on the top floor and the finished biscuits being packaged in Nabisco's renowned In-er-seal packages on a lower level.

The bakery continued to operate until 1951, after which the building found a new purpose as the headquarters for the Stuart Hall Stationery Company.

After changing ownership several more times, the building went dormant for several years. Then, in the early 2000s, a transformation began. By 2004, the once-bustling bakery had been repurposed into the Freight House Lofts at Stuart Hall. Elements of the original architecture, like the arched ceilings, wood and concrete floors, and brick walls, were carefully preserved, paying homage to the building's storied past.

Today, Stuart Hall still stands proudly in the Freight House / Crossroads District of downtown Kansas City.

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This Week's Featured Home

5353 Sunset Dr, Kansas City, MO 64112​
Built in 1937 · $3,500,000
Listing/Photos Courtesy - Connie Curran, Compass Realty Group

The Weekly Featured Home is in partnership with KC Daily - the best news in Kansas City every weekday morning, for free.

ps: on October 2, 1933, the brand new University of Kansas City (later UMKC) began classes with 264 students and 17 instructors—more than double the number originally projected 📚🎓