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Designed by noted Kansas City architect Henry Hoit, the R.A. Long building was Kansas City’s first skyscraper.
The 14-story Long building at Tenth Street and Grand Avenue was built specifically to house the offices of the Long-Bell Lumber Company. The structure was the first of its kind in Kansas City and dwarfed neighboring structures.
Considered fireproof, the Long Building was built of steel, terra-cotta and brick. The first two stories were faced with polished Quincy Granite. The building ultimately housed more than 250 offices and had its own manned fire department and regulation fire hoses on every level, supplied by an 8,000-gallon reservoir on the roof. The head janitor was the chief of a private fire department for the building and all janitors employed by him were firemen and trained in the use of fire equipment.
A cleaning force of 18 men worked all night long with vacuum cleaners and furniture polish to keep the building spotless. One polished brass cuspidors all night, and another worked on brass door knobs and metal trim located throughout the building. Three times a month, the 800 windows were washed by two full-time window washers.
The building is still in use today and is owned by a local bank.
The postcard was mailed to Mr. H. L. Yates of King City, Mo., on Nov. 16, 1910. The personal message reads: “Dear Herb, I have not kept my promise to write every day but have been out on the bum. We are in Kansas City as you can see and having a fine time. Mamie entertains tonight and tomorrow night we are going to a Box party at the Opera. Thomas is not playing foot-ball. Wednesday we go to Pecks for a reception.” The card was published by the Elite Postcard Company of Kansas City.
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