The Story of the Western Auto Sign

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The Western Auto building and its well-known sign have a long history tied to Kansas City's growth. This story connects a young entrepreneur, George Pepperdine, the booming auto industry, and even Coca-Cola's expansion.

Here’s the story of how it all came together in KC.

George Pepperdine and the Dawn of Western Auto

George Pepperdine was born in 1886 in Mound Valley, Kansas, a small town a few hours south of Kansas City. After finishing school in Parsons, Kansas, he moved to Kansas City and worked as a bookkeeper for Regent Tire Company. Around this time, cars like the Ford Model T were becoming popular, and Pepperdine saw an opportunity.

At just 23 years old, with only $5 and big dreams, he started the Western Auto Supply Company. It began as a mail-order business run from his home, with his wife Lena helping pack and ship orders. By 1910, the company opened its first headquarters at 708 E. 15th Street in Kansas City and later its first retail store at 1426 Grand Avenue.

George later moved to California, where he founded Pepperdine University, a Christian college in Los Angeles. His work with Western Auto and his university left a lasting legacy.

The Coca-Cola Building

While Western Auto was growing, Coca-Cola was expanding too. In 1909, Coca-Cola chose Kansas City for its west-central distribution branch because of its location and the nearby Union Station. By 1915, they built a 12-story triangular building at 2015 Grand Blvd., designed by architect Arthur Tufts.

The unique shape fit the oddly shaped lot and allowed easy access to streets and rail lines. At first, the building had a big Coca-Cola sign on top, which stayed until 1928.

The Iconic Western Auto Sign

In 1951, Western Auto moved into the former Coca-Cola building, buying it a year later. In 1952, they added the famous Western Auto sign. Here’s what makes it special:

• Size and Design: The sign is about 70 by 73 feet and features the words “Western Auto” surrounded by a giant arrow.
• Construction: Built with durable materials, the original sign used incandescent bulbs and neon tubing, making it stand out.
• Lighting: The sign had about 2,500 light bulbs and 1,000 feet of neon tubing, making it bright enough to be seen from far away, especially at night.

Western Auto grew into a well-known company, but hard times in the 1980s led to its decline. After changing owners, the building was emptied in 2000, and the sign went dark for 18 years.

In 2002, the building was turned into luxury condos. Then in 2018, the condo association funded repairs to the sign, and on July 13th, it was relit. Once again, the sign lights up Kansas City’s skyline, reminding residents of the city’s history.

Learn more: KC Public Library // KCUR // Video below ↓

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NEW! Western Auto Watercolor Poster An iconic part of the downtown KC skyline, the Western Auto sign has stood tall for over 70 years. This brand new poster from KC Yesterday memorializes the historic landmark. These posters support KC Yesterday and keep the weekly newsletter free for all to read and enjoy. Thank you for your generosity! Western Auto Watercolor Poster ps: what other KC landmarks would you like to see as a vintage poster? Reply to this email and let me know!

This Week in the KC Yesterday Scavenger Hunt

Kemper Arena

Completed in 1974, the arena has served as a venue for the American Royal, NCAA Final Four tournaments, professional sports teams, concerts, and was notably the site of a roof collapse in 1979.

The Sweeney School

Initially focusing on automotive and tractor mechanics, the school expanded its enrollment significantly during World War I to meet the growing demand for skilled technicians.

This Week's Featured Home

1212 W 69th St, Kansas City, MO 64113​
Built in 1950 · $900,000
Listing/Photos Courtesy - James Stewart, ReeceNichols

Welcome to "Kemper House," a home with historical ties to the Kemper family of Kansas City. According to past ownership records, R. Crosby Kemper Jr. and Cynthia Warrick Kemper owned the home in 1950.

The home underwent an 18-month renovation, including a new composition roof and gutters (2023), a fully updated kitchen, and a reconfigured primary suite with a modernized bathroom. The backyard and brick paver patio were restored after being overgrown, and the original hardwood floors, doors, and hardware were refinished or preserved where possible.

Thanks for reading, Reader!

What do you want to learn about next week? Reply and let me know!

-Joe

ps: what do you remember about the 2002 ice storm in KC?

Share KC Yesterday with friends & unlock rewards! Have friends who'd love KC Yesterday? Give them your unique referral link (below) and get an awesome reward when they subscribe. 1 Referral Unlock Secret Article - Why is there a Kansas City in KS and MO? 10 Referrals Unlock Secret Article - 10 Lost Landmarks of KC 25 Referrals Free Historic Poster of Arrowhead, Western Auto, or The Scout [RH_REFLINK GOES HERE] PS: You have referred [RH_TOTREF GOES HERE] people so far

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