Kansas City Long Distance Telephone Co.

1907

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Historic Landmark

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Photographed by Cosmos Mariner, July 23, 2023

1. Kansas City Long Distance Telephone Co. Marker

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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

Photographed by Cosmos Mariner, July 23, 2023

2. Kansas City Long Distance Telephone Co. Marker

The marker is at the right/west edge of the facade.

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.

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. • • • 215 East Main Street:
The Home Telephone building was erected in 1907 and was used as a telephone company. An early telephone franchise in Independence was held by Heckman and Perkins, then in 1901 by Penwell Brothers. About 1904 the gas and oil boom greatly increased the demand for local and long-distance service. The local franchise was sold to the Montgomery County Home Telephone Company. The company constructed its central office building at this location about 1907. In the next several years there was

Photographed by Cosmos Mariner, July 23, 2023

3. Kansas City Long Distance Telephone Co. (built 1907)

intense competition between the growing Kansas City Long Distance Company and Southwestern Bell. The Kansas City company took over the Home Telephone exchange June 19, 1923, but sold it to Southwest Bell December 31, 1925. In 1927 and 1930 the original free-standing building was enlarged to its present form which occupies most of the lot.

This is a detached commercial building. It is rectangular in shape and has a side entrance. The 1½ story building has four bays and is constructed of brick in running bond on a concrete foundation. The decorative elements include raised brick courses and arches in the basement wall, terra cotta door frames, and a mock balcony above the entrance. It has brick arches and terra cotta ornament above the upper floor windows.