Razed Old Imperial Brewery in Kansas City
by Janette Boyd
Title
Razed Old Imperial Brewery in Kansas City
Artist
Janette Boyd
Medium
Photograph - Photo
Description
Photo of old abandoned Imperial Brewery in Kansas City off I-35 and Southwest Blvd, taken in 2016.
Note:
The Imperial Brewery was razed in 2023, after renovation hopes were dashed.
Brick-by-brick, a slice of Kansas City’s history is being demolished as the Imperial Brewing Company’s iconic structure, sandwiched between Interstate 35 and Southwest Boulevard, south of downtown Kansas City is being razed.
Using heavy equipment, Spirtas Worldwide, a demolition firm based in St. Louis, is knocking down the historic brick building.
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Built for Beer
Imperial Brewery was constructed in 1902 for $200,000 on the outskirts of Kansas City on the banks of Turkey Creek. It was strategically positioned between the stone-houses across Southwest Blvd and the new, busy rail corridor shuttling freight between booming factory districts. There was competition locally, but plenty of breathing room for new brews. KC had a population of 170,000, number that was jumping every day.
By 1907, maps of the complex indicate 2 stock houses, expansive packing and racking areas, a keg wash house (only kegs were available at this time), malt mill, engine and boiler houses and a brand new engine room to power everything.
The Volstead Act of 1918 describes that, After one year from the ratification of this article the manufacture, sale, or transportation of intoxicating liquors within, the importation thereof into, or the exportation thereof from the United States and all territory subject to the jurisdiction thereof for beverage purposes is hereby prohibited.In accordance to the new dry legislation,,the heavy wooden doors were bolted shut on December 16, 1918 and the building's mortgage terminated. The expansive rooms with tall ceilings and thick windows, however, were not to remain empty and collecting dust for long.
A flour broker by the name of Otto Bresky acquired the aging brewery shell in 1919 and breathed new life the life of a flour mill. Here, the brewery becomes two-faced: in conception and design it appeared to be a brewery, but the functionality was unmistakably that of a roller mill.
The mill in between Imperials walls operated for 60 years producing Meadowlands Brand Flour before closing in the 1980s. It stood, waiting, crumbling, losing whatever it lost until entire walls became piles of rubble.
Now about a third of the complex is demolished, though there is a lot left to be saved yet. Plans for a restaurant have recently come and gone as well, though the people that know the odd story of this strange roadside attraction are eager to see a preservation effort.
http://substreet.org/imperial-brewery/
Uploaded
November 18th, 2016
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Comments (8)
Janette Boyd
Thank you, Jurgen, for the favorite on this image. Can you imagine what this brewery looked like in its "heyday" at the turn of the century? Great old building and glad you enjoyed it.