Last Batch from KC, and an Article from Nebraska

These photos are courtesy of our Western Field Agents, Ms. D. Walz and Mr. DL Hudson.

And we also offer this article, shared with us by Ms.C.Storer Haney, from the Papillion Times.  

We recommend a read, but if it's too long, just take this away from it:

“Whether we want it or not, growth is coming to Papillion and Sarpy County,” Papillion Mayor David Black said. “What I think a lot about is, if we wake up and all of a sudden our community is 70,000 people, how do we not lose who we are and what makes Papillion special and unique? A big part of that is history, understanding the history of Papillion heritage, and a lot of that is centered around downtown."

More from KC

Still courtesy of Ms. D. Walz & Mr. DL Hudson.

Sausage Factory

Again, courtesy of our Western Field Agents: Ms. D. Walz & Mr. DL Hudson.

Corner Diners

More from Kansas City, and our intrepid Western Field Agents: Ms. D. Walz and Mr. DL Hudson.

Old and New

From our Western Field Agents, Ms. D. Walz & Mr. D.L. Hudson.
A nice example of new paint over an older sign, over another older sign, over another older sign.

And because "the people are thirsty," beer.

Can anyone make out the name of the beer?

More from Kansas City

Courtesy of our Western Field Agents, Ms. D. Walz & Mr. D.L. Hudson.

From the Mailbag

Our Western Field Agents, Ms. D. Walz & Mr. D.L. Hudson have been in Kansas City.

And they've found another treasure trove for us.

Many more to come!

Kansas City Leftovers

In honor of the Royals' appearance in the World Series tonight, 

we pick up a couple of strays from our foray into KC.

The New England Bank Building is at 21 West. 10th.

While the Kansas City School of  Law sits at nice, quiet 913 Baltimore.

Quiet on a Sunday morning anyway.

You can read more about each building at the Kansas City Library's walking tour page. 

On Baltimore

Still in Kansas City. 

And while trying to get a better picture of the fire-proof hotel, we found this:

And we might not have found either had we not been looking for this:

Mr. B. Johnson in front of the world-famous Kansas City Public Library.

(Not a ghost, but worth a viewing in person.)

Next week: a Return to Nebraska.

KC Savoy

The Savoy was hit by fire last year, but will soon be the latest boutique hotel from 21C Museum Hotels, which also renovated the Metropole, in Downtown Cincinnati.

For a little perspective, note the ghost signs to the right, featured earlier this week.

All Along Wyandotte

The Baker-Vawter Building is on the National Register of Historic Places, and today, houses lofts.

But look at that tile sign!

Along Wyandotte

Yesterday's photos were looking west.  Today, it's the east side of Wyandotte Street.

Trozzolo is still in business, but we respect their use of a painted sign.

And on the south side of the building.

Kansas City Library District

Technically, it's now the old Old Spaghetti Factory, and it hasn't been replaced with a new Old Spaghetti Factory.  Not in KC, anyway.  The company is still operational in other cities around the nation.

According to AreaVibes.com, this is part of KC's Library District, and we'll be featuring ghost signs from there all week.

Note the faded green blotch. 

And one we almost missed.

More to Come

At least another week's worth of Kansas City ghost signs to come.

In the meantime, enjoy this one, and take note of the Richards and Conover sign in the background featured earlier this week.

Bull Durham Ghost Sign in Kansas City

Bull Durham signs are often what people think of if you mention ghost signs.

This one is at Wyandotte and Fifth, in Kansas City's River Market neighborhood, and there's a question of whether it's well-preserved or restored.

It's has some wear and tear, but is rather bright for something that may be close to 100 years old.

(Bull Durham signs started appearing in the 1870s, but, according to ghost sign historian William Stage, the fence post covering up the bull's unmentionables wasn't added until around 1909.)

Either way, it's beautiful.

(A search for the painter company, Tnos Cusach, turned up a few references in trade publications from Chicago, around 1920, but little else.)

More From the River Market

Our time in the River Market district was fruitful, but brief.

For instance, while we caught these two sides of the building, 

we missed what was on the north.

And we welcome readers of Tony's Kansas City. Stick around.

Plenty more from your lovely city to come.

Kansas City Dreaming

The Kansas City neighborhood called River Market.  An old warehouse district that's been renewed.

Independence and Delaware.   

The district has many similarities to Cincinnati's Over-the-Rhine neighborhood;

There's a permanent farmer's market, and tracks for a streetcar that's still under construction.

And plenty of ghost signs.

The only words we can make out for sure are LEAF at the top, and TOBACCO, at the bottom.

Summer Sufari

We're back from another trip Out West.

To briefly sum up, we explored new, and familiar territory, finding plenty of new ghost signs.

This first trophy is from Kansas City, Missouri, which was true to legend, full of our prey.

Much more to come.

Spring Break

Readers of The Writing on the Wall have been taking their spring vacations, and capturing ghost signs as they travel.

This particular example was discovered by our Western Field Office manager, Mr. D.L. Hudson, on a recent trip to Kansas City.

He writes, "Sorry I didn't get more.  There's a lot."

We thank him and salute him for his effort!