The Indian Store, Kansas City, Mo., pictured in color by Knight & Company near the turn of the century, does not state the location. Nor was it listed in early city directories. However, a 1915 local brochure of businesses and businessmen titled Pen and Sunlight Sketches gives the following description, under the heading The Indian Store, Wyandotte Mfg. Co.: "Kansas City enjoys the distinction of being the home of many specialties, and in this connection it is our desire to briefly sketch the Indian Store, located at 1319 Main [not the location of the building displayed on the postcard]. The Indian Store has been in existence in Kansas City since 1900, in fact it has become the curiosity place of the town and is easily the most interesting store in the city. A visit to this establishment is an education in itself, and is of never ending interest to the student of the redman and his picturesque life. The business is both retail and wholesale, two salesmen being employed who cover the entire United States ... The stock includes hand work of all descriptions, from the nimble-fingered Indian women of many tribes; moccasins, beads, toggery of all descriptions, blankets, leather novelties in the real Indian tanned leathers, baskets, hand bags, and in fact, everything in the way of novelties. A catalog will be mailed to any address upon request. E.J. Rawlings is the proprietor." A subsequent search in the early directories under the listing of Wyandotte Mfg. Co. revealed the existence of the Indian Store at several locations during the early years. But the location of the establishment as pictured on the old postcard remains a mystery [1030-1036 Wyandotte Street]. Kansas City Times, March 22, 1985.
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