Kansas City Missouri City Hall and Observation Deck (Tour)

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Constructed in the 1990s, this fountain and small park located next to Kansas City's City Hall honors former mayor Ilus Winfield Davis. Davis' two terms in office (1963-71) included efforts to end segregation in public schools and other institutions as well as measures to promote equality in the aftermath of the 1968 Kansas City riots that followed the assassination of Martin Luther King. Davis joined hundreds of Black youth in a march towards city hall, but the city's police department still made the decision to use tear gas to disperse the crowd. This action by the police prompted several days of riots, property damage, injuries, and deaths. Davis has been remembered by civil rights leaders for his good faith attempts to heal the city's racial divide. For example, Herman Johnson, the former president of the Kansas City NAACP, declaring at Davis' 1996 funeral: "Ilus Davis probably did more than one single person in Kansas City in the area of civil rights" owing to his simple willingness to listen and support the ideas of African American leaders and residents at a time when other city leaders were less responsive.

2. City Hall Exterior Frieze Panels

A stone tapestry featuring rich symbolism wraps the exterior of the 6th floor of City Hall. Each face of City Hall shows a series of carvings made directly into the Indiana limestone façade that stand 9 feet 6 inches tall and have a depth of 5 inches. There is a specific historical motif for each face with a prominent central panel and multiple supporting panels. The intricate symbolism of each panel was planned from April to August of 1936 and is the result of a combined effort of three artists. The panels represent the historical development of the modern City of Kansas City, Missouri.

3. 1st Floor – Lobby/Rotunda

The Lobby is the grand entrance to City Hall that treats visitors to an impressive display of multi-colored marble and features numerous bronze adornments. While the majority of the building was designed for utility - with large windows for natural light and ventilation and office space described by promotional literature as, “plain, businesslike and unpretentious,” - the lobby and rotunda area on the first and second floor are a notable exception (Your City Hall, 1937). At the time of completion, this floor featured offices for the Water Department and City Treasurer, as these are City functions the public was expected to interact with most often. Therefore, City leaders such as City Manager H. F. McElroy worked closely with architecture firm Wight and Wight to design a lobby that is both functional and beautiful, possessing an aesthetic of grandeur.

4. 26th Floor - Council Chamber

This is where the action happens. The Council Chamber is home to most of the legislative activity that takes place in City Hall. Committee meetings and full council session regularly take place in this ornately decorated, stately chamber. There are 13 desks for the Mayor and Councilmembers as well as an area for the City Clerk and staff. In addition, the chamber is updated for video and audio livestreaming as well as virtual communications for public comment.

5. City Hall Observation Deck

City Hall is 29-stories tall and offers an outdoor observation deck above the top floor that offers panoramic views of Kansas City. The tallest building in the city at the time of its construction, City Hall remains one of the tallest in the city and it is located at one of the highest points of the downtown area. When the observation deck is open, visitors and residents may request the opportunity to enjoy this view without charge.

6. City Hall South Plaza

South Plaza was the original front entrance of Kansas City, Missouri's City Hall, and served as the main entrance for the building until 2007. There are several fountains that border the steps to the entrance, as well as multiple statues, including a sculpture of President Abraham Lincoln and his son Tad. Visitors can also view large carvings on the exterior of the sixth floor from the South Plaza. The central motif of the South face features a symbolic figure of Kansas City personified and enthroned, with a sun-crest above her head and surrounded by representations of civic virtues such as Education, Law, Faith, and Public Spirit.

7. Jackson County Courthouse, Kansas City

The Kansas City branch of the Jackson County Courthouse was established in 1872. The current building was constructed in 1934 under Presiding Judge and future president Harry Truman. The ornate, Art Deco building was one of several structures built during the 1930s as part of a “Ten Year Plan” to sustain economic growth and provide employment in Kansas City during the Great Depression. Today the building primarily houses facilities for both municipal court and the Missouri 16th Judicial Circuit Court.

This Tour is a Virtual Museum or Site Tour.

Kansas City Missouri City Hall and Observation Deck

Created by David J. Trowbridge on December 21st 2014, 2:13:24 pm.

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Located on a hill, this 29-story skyscraper includes an observation deck that offers some of the very best views in the city. Planning for the building began in 1931 following a special referendum in which Kansas City voters overwhelmingly approved the city's ten year plan for infrastructure and public works development. The building design was heavily influenced by city political boss Tom Pendergast, whose concrete company profited from the city contract, as did other construction firms connected to the Pendergast political machine. This building is not only one of the ten tallest buildings in Kansas City, it is the fourth-tallest city hall in the world.

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Kansas City Missouri City Hall and Observation Deck

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