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This week’s postcard shows the Inter-City Viaduct and the new Helmers Furniture Manufacturing Company to the immediate south. This view is looking west toward Kansas City, Kan., and is published by the Webb-Freyschlag Company of Kansas City, Mo.
The west portal of the viaduct was located at 4th and Minnesota Ave. in Kansas City, Kan., and spanned nearly 1.5 miles to its eastern terminus near what is now Bluff Road and Broadway in Kansas City, Mo. Originally built in 1905 and opened in 1907 as a toll bridge, the venture was not successful. In 1913, it was sold to the cities, Kansas City, Mo., and Kansas City, Kan., for $1,775,000, roughly half its original cost. The toll gates were demolished and tolls were removed.
For 55 years, the original span carried traffic over the often flooded West Bottoms area. In 1962, it was closed for rebuilding and a new span was constructed 90 feet to the north of the original to accommodate westbound traffic. In 1969, the name of the viaduct was changed to the “Lewis and Clark Viaduct,” given its proximity to the confluence of the Missouri and Kansas rivers and the Lewis and Clark trail.
Over the years, both spans have been widened several times, and in the 1960s each had their streetcar tracks removed and the roadway improved to accommodate today’s traffic.
The Helmers building on the right actually stood in the path of the viaduct and plans were drawn up to remove the north corner of the structure to allow completion of the span.
This card was mailed to Miss Angie Skimmer of Downs, Iowa on May 4, 1909. The private message reads: “Well I guess you are right and don’t call me a piker. Pls (please) forgive me and I’ll never do it again. Am sure enjoying myself and am always glad you taught me that. Love always, Rollie.”
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