Two Thoughts on Kansas City

Two Thoughts for Tuesday



Yesterday, hubby and I needed to go to one of the local shopping centers to pick up a few things.  Those of you that are regular readers know that I am not a big fan of shopping.  However, if I can use it as an excuse to walk around, people watch and have a meal thrown in for good measure, then it's not so bad.

I especially like sitting on the benches by the fountains and watching all the families toss their coins in for wishes. 

Thought #1 - Kansas City's Official Nickname is the City of Fountains

Kansas City has a lot of interesting neighborhoods, shopping districts, and tourist attractions. However, our city is known as the "City of Fountains".  There are more fountains in Kansas City  than any other city in the world with one exception: Rome.   Really, if KC has to come in #2 for fountains, I guess it isn't so bad coming in behind Rome. 

A little background about the fountain...

In Kansas City, which is known as “The City of Fountains” there is one outdoor fountain that is the most famous and most frequently photographed.  The J.C. Nichols Memorial Fountain was dedicated in 1960 however the history of the fountain began decades earlier.
Jesse Clyde Nichols, known usually as J.C. Nichols, was an important developer in Kansas City who lived from 1880 to 1950.  His developments figured prominently into the expansion and appearance of Kansas City.  He was responsible for the Country Club Plaza that is known as the first suburban shopping area in the United States.  In 1922, when his plans for the Plaza were revealed, a shopping district specifically designed for people arriving in cars had not been heard of.  Nichols is considered a pioneer in that type of development, and Country Club Plaza has remained a successful shopping district since the time of its creation.

The fountain was originally created in Paris by sculptor Henri Greber in 1910.  Although actual meaning of the statuary is uncertain, the four large, cast bronze equestrian figures reportedly represent four mighty rivers of the world: the Rhine, the Seine, the Volga and the Mississippi.




same fountain different view



Thought #2 Kansas City has one of the coolest libraries in the world.  (at least in my opinion)



This is the downtown branch of the Kansas City Library



same library, different view

One of the most unusual  examples of unique architecture in Kansas City, has to be the facade of the parking garage for the Central Branch of the public library. The garage wall was designed to look like a row of giant books lined up on a shelf. The book spines, which measure approximately 25 feet by 9 feet, are made of signboard mylar. The shelf showcases 22 titles reflecting a wide variety of reading interests as suggested by Kansas City readers and then selected by The Kansas City Public Library Board of Trustees.

The garage behind the "books" was constructed in 2006 in response to the need for additional downtown parking. Community input was requested on ways to beautify the new structure and ultimately the idea of a bookshelf evolved.

Community members and patrons were asked to vote on the titles to be displayed and the ones chosen reflect a wide range of famous literature. Titles of the 22 volumes represented include "The Lord of the Rings" by J. R. R. Tolkien and "Fahrenheit 451" by Ray Bradbury among many others.


The Good for the Day...fun things to look at in the city you live in or by.

The Bad for the Day....Not taking advantage of the things your city offers

The Weird for the Day....Having huge books line a downtown street.

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