The Story of The KC Power & Light Building


The Story of The KC Power & Light Building

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Happy Thursday, KC and beyond!

Today's story is a deep dive into our iconic Power & Light building. Did you know:

  • When it was completed in 1931, it was the tallest building west of the Mississippi River for over 3 decades. It held that title until the Space Needle was built in 1962!
  • The building’s 21-foot lantern was originally designed to glow with red and orange floodlights, creating a "flame-like" effect that could be seen for miles.
  • From engraved brass elevator doors featuring transportation icons to sunburst motifs symbolizing energy, the building is a treasure trove of 1930s Art Deco design.

Today’s article includes a gallery of 20+ modern-day interior and exterior photos, thanks to a tour given to me by the building’s manager. Thank you, Jayden!


NEW! KC Power & Light Puzzle

Piece together a stunning view of one of Kansas City's most iconic landmarks!

This 520-piece puzzle features the Kansas City Power & Light Building, showcasing its timeless Art Deco design.

Perfect for history lovers, architecture fans, and puzzle enthusiasts alike!


Thursday Trivia 🤔

There is a single booth in one Kansas City Restaurant that has welcomed U.S. Presidents Warren Harding, Harry S. Truman, Gerald Ford, and Ronald Reagan.

➡️ Can you name the restaurant?

Learn the answer in Friday's newsletter from KC Daily, delivered straight to your inbox every weekday morning for free.


This Week's Featured Home

1251 W 64th St, Kansas City, MO 64113​
Built in 1950 · $1,749,950
Listing/Photos Courtesy - Brooke Miller, ReeceNichols Koehler Bortnick Team

This two-story home in Meyer Circle Subdivision has been meticulously restored with over $300,000 in upgrades. Features include hardwood floors throughout, a grand entryway, and abundant natural light.

The updated kitchen includes high-end appliances such as a Sub-Zero fridge, Viking gas cooktop, KitchenAid double ovens, and a wet bar with an ice maker. The kitchen opens to a hearth room with a fireplace, leading to a private backyard with an outdoor kitchen, covered deck, and multi-tier fountain.

Located minutes from the Country Club Plaza and Prairie Village, this home offers modern updates in a prime location.

Realtors: interested in sponsoring this section? Just email me at hello@kcyesterday.com!


​Then vs. now photo of Brio Italian Grille on the Country Club Plaza, which recently announced its permanent closure.

What would you like to see open in that space? Comment on the post!


ps: Do you love nostalgia trips? Sign up for On This Day, a time machine in the form of a weekly(ish) newsletter! It takes you on a fun, easy-to-digest trip to today’s date during a random year between 1970-2010 to look at the pop culture, entertainment, and moments that defined that day! 🚀


Stories from the City - History of Kansas City

Join thousands of others and discover Kansas City's captivating history every week with the exclusive newsletter from KC Yesterday. Sign up now to unlock fascinating stories about the mafia, architecture, prohibition, sports, and everything in between!

Read more from Stories from the City - History of Kansas City

The Story of Walt Disney in KC If you were forwarded this email, click here to subscribe (it's free!) Read this story online | Sponsor this newsletter | Shop 📸 Walt Disney seated at a drawing board at Laugh-O-Gram Films/Disney Studio in Kansas City, Missouri. Courtesy LaBudde Special Collections at the University of Missouri – Kansas City Walt Disney’s journey as an animator began not in Hollywood, but in Kansas City, where he lived and worked during the formative years of his career. Moving...

The Story of Harvey the Rabbit at Municipal Stadium If you were forwarded this email, click here to subscribe (it's free!) Read this story online | Sponsor this newsletter | Shop 📸 1960s: Legendary groundskeeper George Toma and Harvey the Rabbit. In the 1960s, fans at Kansas City’s Municipal Stadium were treated to a unique and whimsical sight: a mechanical rabbit named Harvey, who popped out from behind home plate to deliver baseballs to the umpire. Harvey, named after the imaginary rabbit...

The Story of the World's Largest Shuttlecocks If you were forwarded this email, click here to subscribe (it's free!) Read this story online | Sponsor this newsletter | Shop 📸 Courtesy LOC. In 1994, the Nelson-Atkins Museum of Art installed four large shuttlecock sculptures across its front and back lawns. The sculptures were created by artists Claes Oldenburg and Coosje van Bruggen, who were commissioned by Kansas City philanthropists Morton and Estelle Sosland. The artists were given full...