Kansas: In the news today

Yes, the State of Kansas is in the news in two different ways today. First, it seems there is a gentleman in Denver who bought a Kansas missile silo just North of Salina and he's turning it into end-of-the-world, doomsday condominiums--for the wealthy. They're expensive.

The second story today out of Kansas comes from covering wacky museums. They mention and show the Barbed Wire Museum out in LaCrosse. Apparently, however, they just didn't have enough space in their article to cover Leila's Hair Museum out in Independence (Missouri). Darn shame, that. Someone mentioned in the comments, too, that they should have noted the Prairie Dog Museum out in Scott, Kansas. Oh, yeah. Links to stories: http://news.yahoo.com/doomsday-shelters-line-kansas-missile-silo-035247086.html; http://travel.yahoo.com/ideas/america-s-wackiest-museums.html?page=8

The Brookside Hotel?

Who knew? Well, local Michael Signorelli knew---knows. Now the rest of us do, too. I just know it as the now Crestwood Condominiums building that used to be so run down and ignored. Mr. Signorelli gave us this background information today on Facebook: "Picture of The Brookside Hotel, Circa 1961. The Brookside Hotel, 54th and Oak, was built in 1918 and formally opened for occupancy in October, 1919. For many years it was considered one of the better family hotels here. During World War II the property was used as quarters for Army Air Corps personnel attending Rockhurst College. After the war it again became a resident hotel. The St. Paul School of Theology, Methodist, acquired the property in 1962 and used it as a dormitory for married students. The University of Missouri-Kansas City became owners of the property in 1966 for a residence accommodating faculty and married students." Very cool. Then there's this from one Mary Barron: "It was Treadway Hall and home of the UMKC Conservatory of Music Dance Department / Kansas City Ballet when we were kids. I took a lot of classes in the 2nd floor studios before they moved the studios to the Troost Avenue place they had for a while. We danced around pillars in what must have originally been a large dining room or ballroom at the original hotel." Thanks again and very much for the background, Mr. Signorelli and Ms. Barron! Links: https://www.facebook.com/#!/groups/58116837932/; http://www.highrises.com/kansas-city/the-crestwood-condos/; http://maps.google.com/maps/place?hl=en&cp=16&gs_id=1x&xhr=t&tok=Qbrsrsv6wx0ayxzs0Lym7A&gs_upl=&biw=1249&bih=560&bav=on.2,or.r_gc.r_pw.,cf.osb&wrapid=tlif132562775751610&um=1&ie=UTF-8&q=crestwood+condominiums+kansas+city&fb=1&gl=us&hq=crestwood+condominiums&hnear=0x87c0f75eafe99997:0x558525e66aaa51a2,Kansas+City,+MO&cid=13690090927520644516

Is this place EVER going to lease and fill?

You know the place? It's at 4700 Roanoke Parkway (hence the name), right on the Plaza, across the street from the Richard Bloch Cancer Park. I mean, this thing was under contruction for what? 2 years? They gutted the interiors. They stripped the exterior brick--when it started falling off anyway, I'm told--and it's sat empty ever since. I was by there today and the parking lots, front and back, are chained off for no access. Sure, they have signs saying call for information and you can find places inside for sale but what gives with this thing? The person and company who did it must have more money than Midas. They surely never seemed to be in any hurry to sell or rent out the place. Link: http://www.the4700.com/The_4700.html

 

And, oh yeah, there was a partial moon on the rise, too, to complete the virtually perfect Thanksgiving weekend.

 

Just a brilliant day.

 

I just liked it, that's all there is to it. (And hey, I can dream, can't I?)