Kansas City Ghost Signs

Kansas City Ghost Signs: The Stories Hiding in Plain Sight

Have you ever looked up while walking around Kansas City and spotted an old painted sign on the side of a building?

You know the ones! Emery, Bird, Thayer. Montgomery Ward. Peck’s. And, of course, Manley Inc., proudly proclaiming itself “The Biggest Name in Popcorn.”

Those are what we call ghost signs — old advertisements painted on brick walls that have managed to hang around long after the businesses themselves have disappeared. Some have faded almost beyond recognition, while others have been restored. Each one leaves a little clue about the Kansas City that came before us.

And just like our murals, once you start noticing ghost signs, you'll see them everywhere. So keep your eyes up! You never know what bit of KC history might be hiding above that storefront.

Here are a few of my favorites and the stories behind them.

Manley Inc.: Kansas City’s Popcorn Connection

“The Biggest Name in Popcorn.” Now that's a claim you can't ignore!

Long before movie theaters had reclining seats, giant screens, and buckets of popcorn big enough to feed a small family, popcorn was often sold by street vendors outside theaters. In the early days of silent films, some theater owners considered it too messy and noisy for their fancy establishments.

Imagine going to the movies and being told you couldn't bring popcorn! How did they expect us to survive the suspense?

Then the Great Depression changed things. Theaters needed new ways to bring in money, and concession stands became an increasingly important part of the movie going experience. Popcorn and movies turned out to be a pretty good match — and Kansas City had a connection to the business of making it happen.

Manley Inc. became known for its popcorn equipment and concession supplies, helping provide the machinery behind one of America's favorite movie traditions.

And what became of this little piece of popcorn history? Today, the building is home to the Popcorn Lofts in the Crossroads Arts District.

I do love it when a building's new name gives a nod to its past. It's a little cheesy, perhaps — but in this case, I'll allow it. After all, we're talking about popcorn!

Peck's: More Than a Department Store

If you've walked along Baltimore Street downtown, you may have noticed the name PECK painted on the back of a building. It's a reminder of a time when shopping downtown was an event, not just another errand squeezed between appointments.

The George B. Peck Dry Goods Company grew into a major Kansas City retailer, selling everything from clothing and shoes to household furnishings. Its flagship store at 1044 Main Street became a familiar destination for shoppers, and the company operated for decades before closing in 1964.

But here's the part of the story I especially love: Peck's wasn't just thinking about what it could sell. It was also thinking about the people who worked there.

At a time when young cash boys and cash girls ran money and receipts around department stores, Peck introduced an unusual benefit. The company provided an in-house school for these young employees, paying for teachers and supplying books and stationery. The children were also given time during their workday to study.

Think about that for a moment. A department store making room for education in the middle of a busy workday! It was an early example of an employer recognizing that the people behind the business mattered, too.

That's one of the things I enjoy most about exploring Kansas City's old buildings. They don't just tell us what people bought or where they worked. Sometimes, they reveal how people lived, what they valued, and how a business helped shape its community.

And all of that history is sitting right there on a wall, waiting for someone to look up.

The Peck Building's Next Chapter

The Peck Building is preparing for another change in use, giving this historic downtown landmark a new future while preserving its connection to Kansas City's past.

I love seeing old buildings find new life. They remind us that Kansas City isn't just a city of new construction — it's a city that knows how to reuse, reinvent, and keep its history alive.

Stay tuned to see what's next for the Peck Building!

The Old Federal Reserve Bank: Money, Politics, and a Little Missouri Rivalry

Now let's talk money. Literally.

The former Federal Reserve Bank building at 925 Grand Boulevard opened in November 1921. Designed in the Classical Revival style, this impressive 16-story building served as the headquarters of the Federal Reserve's Tenth District for decades.

But the story starts before the building itself.

When the Federal Reserve system was being established in 1913, Kansas City and St. Louis were competing for a place in the new banking system. There was some serious Missouri rivalry at play. In the end, both cities got Federal Reserve banks — making Missouri the only state with two Federal Reserve Bank locations.

The Grand Boulevard building went on to become one of Kansas City's prominent landmarks. For a time, it was the tallest building in both Kansas City and the state of Missouri. And here's another fun connection: former President Harry S. Truman maintained an office on the 11th floor from 1953 to 1957.

Imagine having an office in a building where the history of banking, politics, and Kansas City growth all came together!

Eventually, the Federal Reserve moved to a newer facility near the National WWI Museum and Memorial. If you've visited the newer building, take a look at the statues outside. They echo figures represented in the original building's architectural reliefs — a lovely way of carrying a piece of the past into a new chapter.

Buildings change. Businesses move. Neighborhoods reinvent themselves.

But if you know where to look, the stories are still there.

The Best Part of Looking Up

Ghost signs are just one little piece of what makes Kansas City so much fun to explore. Behind the faded lettering, the grand façades, and the buildings we pass every day are stories about ambitious business owners, changing neighborhoods, local rivalries, and people who helped build the city we love.

You don't have to be an architecture expert to appreciate any of it. You just need a little curiosity— and perhaps a reminder to look up from your phone now and then!

And if you've ever wondered what else you've been walking past without noticing, I'd love to show you.

Come see Kansas City with me on the KC Skyline Tour!

We'll explore the architecture, uncover the stories behind the buildings, and discover the surprising details that make our city special. You'll leave with a new appreciation for the places you've seen a hundred times — and probably a few new favorites.

Because around here, there's always another story hiding in plain sight.

Ready to look up and fall a little more in love with KC? Join me on the KC Skyline Tour with Just One Day Tours!

Explore upcoming tours and reserve your spot at Just One Day Tours.