If you’re the kind of Kansas Citian to hear “First Fridays” and think 8 a.m. antiquing in the West Bottoms, this edition of KCtoday is for you.
To celebrate the year’s first chance at temperate treasure hunting, Editor Maddie rolled into this weekend with a mission in mind: pick out five items from the rust and dust with a Kansas City story to tell.
Crossroads’ Film Row
These industrial reels look to be leftovers from the Crossroads’ former iteration — Film Row. When Hollywood needed distribution centers across the country in the early 20th century, railroad hub Kansas City was a no-brainer. Now, you can still find the remnants of these silver screen storage houses fluttering out a few blocks around Wyandotte Street and 18th Street.
Whizzo’s wonderland
Former circus member Frank Wizarde was a Kansas City celebrity from 1955 to 1987 as “Whizzo the Clown.” His after-school show on KMBC 9 featured plenty of classic clowning interspersed with cartoon shorts. His face was even used to advertise bread and other goods in the metro.
George Brett’s historic hit
Take a look at this time machine. The Kansas City Star newsstand charged 35 cents a paper... but what about that sign? Hall of Famer George Brett was on his way to 3,000 hits — a history-making moment he achieved on Sept. 30, 1992.
KC’s oldest fine jewelers
This unassuming sign used to welcome locals looking for sparkle and shine into the metro’s oldest fine jewelry store. Ruback, established 1908, has operated storefronts in downtown, the Plaza, Prairie Village, and most recently, Overland Park, where you can still schedule an appointment to shop at 7317 W. 79th St.
Historic hooch
It might not look like this, but you can still get yourself some McCormick Distilling Company corn whiskey. The Weston, MO mainstay is the oldest distillery west of the Mississippi River still operating in its original location.