James Fitzpatrick Saloon Building; The Majestic

Now home to the Majestic, the historic James Fitzpatrick Saloon Building was erected in 1911 and was one of many entertainment venues connected to the infamous Pendergast political machine. The structure is a contributing property of the Garment District listed on the National Register of Historic Places. A landmark institution related to the history of Kansas City jazz that hosted musicians such as Count Basie and Charlie Parker, this building has been at the epicenter of the city's growth from the early 1900s, when that was centered on the downtown area to the 21st century which has seen a resurgence and return of businesses and residential spaces in the urban core. From its jazz era origins to the emergence of the garment industry and the resurgence of downtown, this historic building is representative of the overall history of Kansas City.

Garment District

The history of this part of Kansas City dates back to the mid-1850s when Colonel Kersey Coates developed the area into the city's first residential neighborhood. He arrived in 1854 on behalf of Pennsylvania investors who bought the land and instructed him to search for minerals. After Coates found none, he was instructed to sell the land. Seeing it's potential, Coates bought the land and platted it instead, calling part of the area "Quality Hill" while reserving other parts for warehouses and other commercial operations. Coates helped to create the first Kansas City Board of Trade Building, as well as the Coates Opera House in 1868, which was located across the street. He also operated the Coates Opera Hotel across 10th Street. The hotel and opera house helped to turn these blocks into one of the city's important hospitality and cultural hubs.

In the 1870s and early 1880s, Broadway became a thriving commercial avenue while the streets to the west and east remained residential. Beginning in the mid- 1880s, however, the residential parts of the area began to make way for commercial buildings. What spurred this change was the construction of the second Kansas City Board of Trade Building beginning in 1886. Other commercial buildings soon followed, including the Swofford Brothers Dry Goods Company building, which was erected in 1898.

This building drew other wholesalers to the area. As a result, the wholesale district was born and continued to grow. Wholesalers in the district manufactured or distributed various products, including clothing, dry goods, furniture, hats, and home furnishings. They shipped these products on the railroads connecting Kansas City to the rest of the country. After World War I, the garment industry grew rapidly in Kansas City, soon representing the second-largest industry in the city. The transition from bars and brothels to garment factories included this building, and the district's industries were so successful that New York City was the only city that led Kansas City in total production.

James Fitzpatrick Saloon Building and The Majestic

James Fitzpatrick opened the saloon in 1911, and the business soon had the patronage and support of influential brothers "Big Jim" and "Boss Tom" Pendergast. The saloon was on the first floor, and a brothel on the second and third floors. Fitzpatrick also lived on the third floor. Prohibition forced the saloon to move to the basement in 1920, where it operated successfully away from the eyes of the law, thanks to Boss Tom's influence over the police department and city officials. This period also saw the introduction of jazz in Kansas City, and the saloon was a venue where jazz musicians, including notables such as Count Basie and Charlie Parker, performed regularly. Barbecue became a staple in the district during this period as well. In 1907, entrepreneur Henry Perry arrived in Kansas City, where he began selling smoked meat sandwiches from a cart. He eventually made his way to this district before establishing a series of restaurants in the historic Black business district from 12th to 18th street, about a mile east of this location. Perry's methods inspired BBQ legends from Arthur Bryant to Gates. The 1920s saw the rise of the garment industry in this area. With the decline of Boss Tom and the rise of that industry, the saloon closed, and the building was converted for garment manufacturing.

This historic building fell into disrepair by the 1970s. Recognizing both its historical value and its unique architecture, which includes a two-story projecting bay and stained glass windows above the entrance, it became a property of interest for preservationists. In 1983, two couples bought the building and spent the next two years restoring it. It became home to several restaurants including The Majestic Steakhouse, which opened in 1992 and included a jazz club. The restaurant closed in 2008, but the current restaurant, The Majestic Restaurant, opened in 2009. Thanks to the efforts to preserve the building and continue its tradition as a place for socializing, dining, and entertainment, jazz continues to be performed here.

LaMartina, Jerry. "Downtown Storefront: The Majestic Steakhouse." December 7, 2007. https://www.bizjournals.com/kansascity/stories/2007/12/10/focus7.html

"The Majestic and the History of Downtown Kansas City." The Majestic. Accessed August 31, 2022. https://majestickc.com/about-us/history-of-downtown-kansas-city.

Miszczuk, Edward J. "Wholesale District." National Park Service - National Register of Historic Places Nomination Form. October 25, 1979. https://mostateparks.com/sites/mostateparks/files/Wholesale%20District.pdf.

Interview by David Trowbridge with Nicholas Boden, General Manager of the Majestic, 9121/24