North Kansas City Historical Society PO Box 7456 North Kansas City, MO 64116 Ensuring The Future By Preserving The Past May 8, 2017 Mr. Eric Berlin City Administrator City of North Kansas City 2010 Howell Street North Kansas City, MO 64116 Mr. Berlin, Please consider our request for funding of an important historic marker to honor the former Palmer House. Once known as the Winner Building, then the Midway Building, the Palmer House was built by Willard E. Winner, thought to be an early member of Native Sons of Greater Kansas City. North Kansas City Historical Society (NKCHS) is seeking partial funding to erect the marker at the same location where the building once stood at 1015 Swift Street, North Kansas City, Missouri. The current owner of the land is MTS Contracting and their offices are located there. They are considering granting permission for the marker to be erected on the property. The City of North Kansas City is also considering placing the marker on the boulevard near the original site. The estimated cost of the project is $4,000. We are seeking a co-sponsorship of $1,000. The balance of the funding will be the responsibility of North Kansas City Historical Society. To date, we have received donations of $2,000. The Native Sons and Daughters of Greater Kansas City are also considering a grant of $1,000 which would put us at our goal. NKCHS will be responsible for the design and installation of the marker. A draft of the text to be used for the marker is included here. Also, attached are images of the Palmer House to familiarize those who may not be aware of it. We plan an extensive unveiling of the marker, which may include a symposium about the history of the the Palmer House during its 85 year life and stories about Mr. Winner. Many images and tales about the Palmer House will be shared. Date and location are being planned. Please contact me if you have questions or concerns. Thank you for considering our request. Sincerely, Jim Spawn James A. Spawn Director of Special Projects 2005 Buchanan Street North Kansas City, MO 64116 Office: 816-421-1991 Cell: 816-916-4100 Email: Jspawn321@aol.com
NEW HISTORIC MARKER PROJECT Location: The Palmer House 1015 Swift Ave. North Kansas City, Missouri Built circa 1887, the three story flat iron shaped brick building was a dream of Mr. Willard E. Winner to welcome travelers to North of the Missouri River. His vision was to develop the northland area. He purchased vast tracts of land with plans to build a bridge and develop a city. We believe that Mr. Winner was an early member of Native Sons and Daughters of Greater Kansas City Originally, called The Winner Bulding, then The Midway Building and finally The Palmer House this landmark structure survived the flood of 1903, when flood waters were at the second floor. Local lore says that gambling and ladies of the evenings once occupied The Palmer House.
The Palmer House Built circa 1887, the three story flat iron shaped brick building was a dream of Mr. Willard E. Winner to welcome travelers to North of the Missouri River. His vision was to develop the northland area. He purchased vast tracts of land with plans to build a bridge and develop a city. The Palmer House stood here at 1015-1018 Swift Ave. Originally called The Winner Bulding, then The Midway Building and finally The Palmer House this landmark structure survived the flood of 1903, when flood waters were at the second floor. Later, The Palmer House became a low cost tennament house for area workers to live, providing housing with 22 apartments. The Palmer House was razed on April 4, 1973 North Kansas City Historical Society City of North Kansas City Native Sons and Daughters of Greater Kansas City Darline Smith Draft of text for the Palmer House historic marker.
More sad news for the Palmer House
Palmer House interior circa 1951 Palmer House bathroom circa 1951
Artist rendition of Palmer House surviving the 1903 flood. Street view of Palmer House circa 1951
Palmer House circa 1966 Newpaper photograph shows gasoline station next door Telephone Directory 1930
Tennant children play outside circa 1951
MTS Contracting building now occupies the former lot of the Palmer House. Sample of similar proposed historic marker