Historic Creamery Packaging Manufacturing Company Building

In 1886, Kansas City's Creamery Package Manufacturing Company Building was constructed, and served as a regional branch for the Creamery Packaging Manufacturing Company. The company used this Romanesque Revival style building for operations until 1895 when a fire forced the company to relocate. The company operated from nearby buildings and returned operations to this building in 1921. In 1964, a merger with the St. Regis Pulp and Paper Corporation of Delaware forced a reorganization of company assets. In the years since, various tenants occupied the building, including Flint, Walling, and Company, C. Sidney Shepherd and Company, O.L. Chase Mercantile, and the Chandler Pump Company. The building's architecture reflects its rich history, with its Romanesque Revival style and original façade, although some parts were replaced in 1952 after a flood.

Constructed in 1886 by Fred Hamilton, who also was responsible for the construction of the Albert Marty building next door, this site holds an important place in the region’s history. The building served as the headquarters of a regional branch of the Creamery Packaging Manufacturing Company and was used for warehousing and distribution 1887 to 1895. The growth of this area dates back to the construction of the Hannibal Bridge in 1869 and Union Depot in 1878. The Hannibal Bridge, running just east of what is now Interstate 169, was the first permanent rail crossing over the Missouri River. This made the location a crossroads for rail traffic and led to investment in the area. For many decades, a railroad spur entered the back of the building to facilitate the warehouse’s daily activities.

On February 11th, 1895, a fire in the basement spread quickly throughout the building, and firefighting efforts could not save the largely wooden interior. Much of the inventory was lost and much of the original structure was unusable. The company relocated nearby with offices at 931-933 W. 8th Street while reconstructing this structure, which they leased out for decades, until returning to this location in 1921. The company operated from this building in the West Bottoms until May 1964, when they merged with the St. Regis Pulp and Paper Corporation of Delaware.

In the period between the company's first and second stint at the location, various tenants, starting with Flint, Walling, and Company in 1886. This company produced windmills and water pumps that were crucial to agricultural irrigation systems across the Midwest. The company operated from this building for only one year before moving one block east. C. Sidney Shepherd and Company leased the building in 1897, producing domestic goods as did the next tenant, O.L. Chase Mercantile, who sold sewing machines. The last tenant was by far the longest-lasting. From 1902 to 1921, the Chandler Pump Company was the sole tenant of the building and used the warehouse to provide products for plumbing businesses throughout the Midwest.

Creamery Package, Hoard Historical Museum. April 3rd, 2006. Accessed June 21st, 2024. https://hoardmuseum.org/creamery-package/.

Coombs, Cathy. The Historic Creamery Packaging Manufacturing Company Building, Medium. May 3rd, 2023. Accessed June 21st, 2024. https://medium.com/@cjcwriter04/the-historic-creamery-packaging-manufacturing-company-building-a9c7ec2f56c7.

Millstein, Cydney. National Register of Historic Places Registration Form - Creamery Package Manufacturing Company Building, MoStateParks. September 16th, 2016. Accessed June 21st, 2024. https://mostateparks.com/sites/mostateparks/files/Creamery%20Package%20Manufacturing%20Co.%20Bldg.pdf.