Hostelry served downtown community for almost a century

Michael Bushnell
Publisher


The venerable Densmore Hotel located at 906-914 Locust was part of Kansas City’s downtown for almost 100 years.


Built in 1898, the Densmore was unique in that it consisted of two seven-story towers with roughly 82 rooms each, connected at the base by a common lobby and a huge front porch and veranda.


This postcard, published by the Elite Postcard Company of Kansas City, shows the Densmore, possibly during the springtime with flowers hanging from the porch and in planter boxes along the front porch.


The home immediately to the left of the hotel, bearing the address of 918 Locust, was the residence of early Kansas City lawyer J.V.C. Karnes. Karnes served on the city’s School Board for over 20 years and was instrumental in the establishment of the first public library. Karnes was also the namesake of the innovative Karnes School, built in 1880 on 4th Street between Troost and Gillis.


The school was later moved in 1907 to Pacific between Holmes & Charlotte bearing the address of 550 Charlotte Avenue. The school was a staple of the Columbus Park neighborhood for over 60 years. After sitting vacant for almost a decade, it was demolished in 1982.


The Densmore Hotel continued to operate up through the 1970s and 1980’s. As downtown changed, so did the Densmore’s client base. By 1985 it served primarily as a transient hotel catering to those on lower, fixed incomes. As part of an aggressive Parks plan, the hotel succumbed to the wrecking ball late in the late 1990’s to make way for Ilus Davis Park just north of City Hall.


The postcard was mailed to G. J. Mobus of Jasper, Mich. on August 5, 1912 at 10 a.m. The personal message reads: “Hello, am in Kans City Mo. Train leaves in an hour. Rec’d Henry’s letter in Troy. Have been riding street cars for 3 hrs in this city.”

Want Northeast News articles sent straight to your inbox each week? Subscribe below!
Enter your email address and click on the Get Instant Access button.
We respect your privacy

Comments are closed.

  • Saint Mary’s Hospital – Over a century of service

    September 27th, 2023
    by

    Michael Bushnell Publisher “Dear Cousin, I like the chickens fine. We got two eggs today. They are all counted here. Jennie, […]


    KC Together: New Media for Our City, Our Stories

    September 27th, 2023
    by

    SPONSORED CONTENT Kansas City Museum is working with Artist/Filmmaker Randy Bacon and his movement platform 8 Billion Ones to create KC Together, a new series […]


    Remember this?

    September 27th, 2023
    by

    Dorri Partain Contributor Putt putt to the Pizza Hut so the kids can take home this bag puppet featuring Pizza Hut […]


    Nelly Don: The Musical debuts for local viewing

    September 27th, 2023
    by

    Dorri Partain Contributor A new, locally filmed production, “Nelly Don: The Musical” recounts the life of Nell Donnelly Reed, who found […]


    Remember This

    September 20th, 2023
    by

    Dorri Partain Contributor Saving a summer’s bountiful garden harvest for later in the year was essential for homemakers decades ago, and […]


    The world’s most beautiful farm

    September 20th, 2023
    by

    Michael Bushnell  Publisher Shortly after lumber baron Robert A. Long completed his palatial Gladstone Boulevard mansion in 1910, he began […]


    Remember this?

    September 13th, 2023
    by

    Dorri Partain Contributor What do you want to be when you grow up? For young travelers flying the friendly skies, […]


    YMCA served Downtown through its heyday

    September 13th, 2023
    by

    Michael BushnellPublisher While the Charles E. Whitaker Federal Courthouse might be an iconic addition to Kansas City’s skyline, the now […]


    Remember this

    September 6th, 2023
    by

    Dorri Partain Contributor Colorful and practical, bandanas can be used as a fashion accessory or simply to wipe one’s hands […]


  • Shipyards in the Midwest? One of the biggest was at the confluence of the Missouri and Kaw rivers

    September 6th, 2023
    by

    Michael Bushnell Publisher This Linen-era, Art Tone, “Glo-Var” finished postcard was published exclusively by the Beals Postcard Company of Des […]


    Remember this… 

    August 30th, 2023
    by

    Dorri PartainContributor America’s favorite collie was created for a short story written by a British author. Eric Knight (1897-1943) used […]


    An oasis during the dog days of summer

    August 30th, 2023
    by

    Michael Bushnell Publisher With the dog days of summer wrapping up, it seems fitting to showcase something cool and historic […]


    Remember This…

    August 23rd, 2023
    by

    Dorri PartainContributor Rock and Roll music’s “British Invasion” started off in a big way when The Beatles arrived in America […]


    Diamond Transfer Company At Your Service

    August 23rd, 2023
    by

    Michael BushnellPublisher This real photo postcard was published by the North American Postcard Company of Kansas City, Mo. The view […]


    Remember This?

    August 16th, 2023
    by

    Dorri PartainContributor Now I know my ABC’s, won’t you spell along with me? Whether used at school or at home, […]


    A century later, postcard view largely the same

    August 16th, 2023
    by

    Michael BushnellPublisher The intersection of Thompson Avenue and Gladstone Boulevard looks only a little different in 2023 than it did […]


    Remember This?

    August 9th, 2023
    by

    Dorri PartainContributor Can you fit all your school supplies inside a cigar box? Elementary school students in the 1960’s often […]


    Bales Baptist Church, Men’s Bible Class

    August 9th, 2023
    by

    Michael BushnellPublisher In 1886 Thomas Stafford and Charles Murray, students at William Jewell College in Liberty, Mo., along with some […]


  • Northeast Newscast


  • Remember This?

    Remember This?

    August 2nd, 2023
    by

  • Want articles sent directly to your inbox each week? Subscribe below!
    We respect your privacy and will not distribute your information.