Grand Avenue, a main thoroughfare and the widest street in downtown Kansas City, is also one of the oldest streets in the city. When Milt McGee, early-day mayor and city planner, platted his farm in McGee's addition in 1856, he made Grand Avenue the central feature. It is pictured on many of the early post cards, from many different directions. This photo, in black and white, was taken from the roof of the Midland Hotel. At the left is the large domed Federal Building and Postoffice. Farther south the spire of the Grand Avenue Temple rises at 9th and Grand. At the right the flag flies from the top of the Long Building, one of Kansas City's first skyscrapers. The Midland Hotel, not shown on the card, had entrances on Grand, 7th and Walnut. Carrie Whitney described the hotel in her 1909 history: The Midland Hotel, from its central location, great size and completeness in arrangements for comfort of guests, vied with the Coates House. The seven-story building was completed and thrown open to the public in the fall of 1888, with Charles Hill as manger. The structure was one of the largest and finest in the city. The house was perfectly lighted and was recognized as thoroughly fireproof...May 27, 1906, the Midland closed its doors as a hotel and when the doors are opened again it will be as an office building (Railway Exchange). For 20 years it has been the stopping place of many of the notable visitors to the city, the headquarters of the politicians who made parlor 'S' famous for political gatherings, the Western stockmen and a favorite meeting place of conventions. The post card, mailed from Kansas City in August 1909, was furnished by Elwin McKenzie of Kansas City. Kansas City Times, July 9, 1982.
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