Independence in Montgomery County, Kansas — The American Midwest (Upper Plains)
Brinkman's Grocery Store/Opera House
1890
| — | Historic Landmark | — |
Photographed by Cosmos Mariner, July 23, 2023
1. Brinkman's Grocery Store/Opera House Marker
Topics and series. This historical marker is listed in these topic lists: Architecture • Entertainment • Industry & Commerce. In addition, it is included in the National Register of Historic Places (NRHP) series list. A significant historical year for this entry is 1890.
Location. 37° 13.404′ N, 95° 42.348′ W. Marker is in Independence, Kansas, in Montgomery County. It is on East Main Street (U.S. 160) just east of North Pennsylvania Avenue, on the left when traveling east. The marker is mounted on the subject building, at the east/right edge of the facade. Touch for map. Marker is at or near this postal address: 114 East Main Street, Independence KS 67301, United States of America. Touch for directions.
Regionally, this marker is in Eastern Kansas. It is also in the American Midwest, in the Corn Belt, on the prairies, and on the Southern Plains. Globally, it is in North America, the Western Hemisphere, the Western World, and the Anglosphere. Historically, it finds itself in what was once New Spain and also the Louisiana Purchase.
Other nearby markers. At least 8 other markers
this page online
Regarding Brinkman's Grocery Store/Opera House. Contributing property, Independence Downtown Historic District, National Register of Historic Places № 06000624.
From the National Register Nomination prepared by Kristin Schodorf, March 2005:
The Independence Downtown Historic District comprises primarily the core downtown of Independence, KS. These buildings consist mainly of Neo-Classical, Classical Revival, and Commercial styles. The town of Independence was incorporated on July 23, 1870.There were several devastating fires in the early years and not many buildings survived past 1883. Because of these early fires the city passed an ordinance requiring construction to be stone or brick using fireproofing methods. Virtually all the buildings in the district are constructed of brick, concrete, or stone, or combination of same.Photographed by Cosmos Mariner, July 23, 20232. Brinkman's Grocery Store/Opera House MarkerThe marker is mounted at the right edge of the storefront.
The oil and gas boom of the late 1800s and early 1900s provided for modern construction, such as using reinforced concrete and steel in buildings. As is typical of historic commercial structures, some downtown buildings have experienced alterations over the years. The overall historic character and appearance of the downtown district is still present.• • • 114 East Main Street:
The tract at 114 East Main was shown in March 1890 as a two-story brick and stone building with a double storefront. 114 East Main was a grocery. The second floor was shown as Brinkman's Opera House. August Brinkman maintained the grocery until after 1922. E.E. Torrence was listed as a grocery at this location from 1929 until 1939. The second floor was used for furnished rooms in 1902 and for offices in 1910.Photographed by Cosmos Mariner, July 23, 20233. Brinkman's Grocery Store/Opera House (1890)
The building is constructed of brick for the front facade and rubble stone for the side and rear walls. The building has a hipped roof hidden by a parapet. Decorative elements include two brick round-arched window openings connected by a belt course at the second floor and corbelled detailing at the cornice. Alterations include a wood framed storefront, shingled awning, modern metal entrance door and display windows.
Credits. This page was last revised on October 24, 2026. It was originally submitted on October 22, 2026, by Cosmos Mariner of Cape Canaveral, Florida. This page has been viewed 13 times since then. Photos: 1, 2, 3. submitted on October 23, 2026, by Cosmos Mariner of Cape Canaveral, Florida.
