Commerce Tower

These are of the recently renovated Commerce Tower in downtown KC.  Does my heart good to see a stately old building given a renewed lease on life.  Design and construction by Ryan Companies.

Mini Wheel

This monstrous contraption has terrorized children for decades – no doubt including my brothers and myself, when we were small and defenseless enough to be shoved, screaming, into its tiny steel gates.  It appears to be retired now – I found it parked in North Lawrence, KS.

Abernathy Furniture Company

These are the last of recent photos for the Foutch Brothers.  The Abernathy Furniture Company building in Leavenworth, KS is converted now into apartments.  In the lobby, over the entry are a few pieces of original Abernathy furniture!

Everett

This project has the most bohemian feel of the buildings I photographed recently in St. Joseph, MO for the Foutch Brothers.  There really ought to be painter’s studios taking advantage of the gorgeous light here.

Corby Place

These are of Corby Place Senior Apartments in St. Joseph, MO.  Restoration by Foutch Brothers.  History fans might be interested in the building’s nomination form to the National Register of Historic Places.

415 Lofts

Another wonderful project by the Foutch Brothers in St. Joseph, MO.

Big Chief Apartments

The Big Chief notebook that millions of school kids have scribbled in over the decades were made in this building in St. Joseph, MO.  The building has since been restored and converted to apartments by the Foutch Brothers and is now know as Mitchell Park Plaza.  It does my heart good to see such a beautiful old building given a new life; too many like it have been leveled for parking.

Gerald Ford is Watching You.

And he can see for miles and miles and miles and miles…  Apologies to both George Orwell and the Who.  And to Gerald Ford for that matter…  These are phone snapshots from our road-trip over the 4th to Mackinac Island, MI.  And that’s “Mack in Awe” to those of us from the Lesser-Lakes States.

Medieval Kansas

I had no idea Kansans during the Middle Ages built their castles of steel-plate instead of stone.  The fact that this one has survived the centuries in such excellent condition is testament to those early peoples’ advanced engineering skills.  Though I find it hard to believe they painted it white like this in the Dark Ages.  And was there a dungeon?  or a moat?  I don’t know.  There was not a single tour guide to be found – or information plaque, even.  Go see it in Manhattan.

Not Open Yet

The sign out front said “Open in March”, and maybe it actually is – on weekends or something.  I don’t know.  I was tempted to stretch out on that bench and wait.  Kris & Kates is in St. Joseph.