River Market

Kansas City’s

River Market

Kansas City’s

River Market

photography & design by

jodi ann brewer & Morgan Stockton

11 Introduction 13

Map

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Words in the Wild

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Treasure Hunting

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People & the River Market

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appendix

IT ALL STARTED A LONG TIME AGO in a place not too far from here.

AT THE CORNER OF YESTERDAY AND TOMORROW The Kansas City River Market is a riverfront neighborhood that stretches north of the downtown Interstate 70 loop to the Missouri River. The River Market has been standing tall since the mid 1800s and is instilled with rich history around every street corner. It houses the market square and is a hub for great culture, friendly social interation, and local food. Throughout this book, we explore the River Market through the typography found within it’s boundaries. To help express the character of the River Market we have personified this area as an elderly man, eager to tell stories of his past and opinions of the present.

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I’ve gone by many names. names like river market, westport landing, river quay

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words in the wild Kansas City’s River Market is like a looking glass into the past.

As one of the city’s most historical districts, the River Market is filled with some very interesting typography. Much of the type that’s found in the area is in relation to the architecture, whether that’s just signage or actual ingraving into the stone.

Letters range from retro to beautifully ornate to simple and classic. There’s also a large collection of antique stores in the River Market that house a plethora of different kinds of type.

There’s an overwhelming array of inspiration to be found by just walking around.

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oh man , is it easy to get lost in the antique stores of the River Market. But then you never know what treasures you might find..

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treasure hunting

in the River Market Antique

Mall is always sure to be rewarding. Look at this stuff. Isn’t it neat? Wouldn’t you think my collection’s complete? Wouldn’t you think I’m the girl The girl who has everything? Look at this trove. Treasures untold. How many wonders can one cavern hold? Looking around here you think, Sure, she’s got everything. I’ve got gadgets and gizmos a-plenty. I’ve got whozits and whatzits galore. You want thingamabobs?

I’ve got twenty! But who cares? No big deal. I want more. And on this particular venture to the Antique Mall, we came out with this beauty; A Baldamatic, the perfect find to add a little River Market feel to our photographs.

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there’s something for everyone here Whether it is time to relax or time to engage all your senses and experience something old or new, the River Market is the place to be. Just north of downtown across I-70, you will find a unique community that has a little bit of everything you need whether you are a true Kansas Citian or a from out of town and looking to experience the local flavor; the River Market Community has it here in our backyard.

Purchase produce, take time to smell the flowers, grab a bit to eat, browse the shops or experience an event at the City Market. Learn more. Spur your historical interests and get a glimpse of pre-Civil War America with a tour through the Steamboat Arabia Museum.

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Morning Market The River Market’s City Market has a rich history of being a gathering place for the people of Kansas City since the early1800’s. The market began as an open air farmers market where local farmers could bring their harvests to sell to those living in the city. Mornings at the market bring a diverse collection of people, from hard working farmers to families with children seeking out the perfect thing for tonight’s dinner.

Today, the market is still going strong on weekend mornings.

The square, now a more permanent establishment, is always packed with people shoulder-to-shoulder looking for the best deal on fruits, vegetables, and fresh baked goods.

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�:�� am workers begin to set up for morning market, laying out a variety of fruit and vegetables as well as a variety of spices

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Food isn’t supposed to be fast.

It’s supposed to be fresh...

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Weekends at the Rivermarket are bustling and busy affairs that are frequented by families. The activity, noise and bright colors are exciting for the young and young at heart. On the left, a little girl leads the way with a bag full of vegetables— including broccoli and an assortment of bell peppers—while her parents follow behind with the stroller. She struggles with a bag that is probably as heavy or close to her own weight. Her father asks if she’d like to put the bag in the stroller but she trucks on, determined to carry it herself and having fun doing so. Farther down the market square, a father and his little girl stop for some breakfast at a local bakery, seen above. She tears apart and quickly finishes her chocolate croissant while he leisurely enjoys his coffee. Soon she’s had enough of sitting in her own seat and comes over to his side of the small cafe table to beg him to lift her up. Eventually, he easily lifts her up with one are and swings her into his lap, elicting a squeal of joy.

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people come from all parts China Town Food Market is like a whole other world nestled right in the middle of the River Market. Walking in, people are assaulted with the strong stench of ‘fresh’ fish. Getting past the smell, the asian market is a large building with tight isles filled with exotic (at least exotic to Kansas City, Missouri) products, many not even labeled in english. The colors are overwhelming. With the Chinese New Year nearby, red and gold are everywhere­—hanging from the ceiling, lining every isle, sitting on every surface. In the produce section, a family argues vehemently in mandarin over an enormous fruit that would never have made its way into a normal super market.

The general effect is jarring compared to the All-American, home-grown attitude of the City Market, just across the street.

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Study of River Market Atmosphere & Architecture River Market Study 0

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Study of the People at the River Market

Historical Imagery of Kansas City River Market*

People of River Market 0

People of River Market 27

Construction of Central Wholesale Building . . . . . . . . . . . . . . 24

People of River Market 1

People of River Market 28 . . . . . . . . . . . . . 22

Interior view...holding fruit and food . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . 30

People of River Market 2

People of River Market 29

Kansas City Centennial Celebration

People of River Market 3 . . . . . . . . . . . . . 36

People of River Market 30

Postcard of the River Quay

People of River Market 4

People of River Market 31

ASB Bridge and City Market Area

People of River Market 5

People of River Market 32

City Market 1978

People of River Market 6

People of River Market 33

City Market 1992

People of River Market 7 . . . . . . . . . . . . . 37

Construction of Central Wholesale Building

People of River Market 8

Construction view, between 4th and 5th

People of River Market 9

Unidentified man examining fruit . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . 35

People of River Market 10

River Market Map

People of River Market 11 . . . . . . . . . . . . . 39

Unidentified police officers at the City Market . . . . . . . . . . . . . . 6

People of River Market 12

Unidentified vendors in Market

People of River Market 13 . . . . . . . . . . . . . 38

View facing south along the side of the ASB Bridge

People of River Market 14

View of shoppers and vendors . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . 31

People of River Market 15

Crowd scene at the Market Square . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . 14

People of River Market 16

Fourth and Walnut Streets

People of River Market 17

William Volker Building Sign . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . 25

People of River Market 18

Delaware Avenue . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . 9

People of River Market 19 . . . . . . . . . . . . . 28

City Market Storefronts . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . 8

People of River Market 20 People of River Market 21 People of River Market 22 People of River Market 23 People of River Market 24 People of River Market 25 . . . . . . . . . . . . . 32 People of River Market 26

*These images were gathered from the Missouri Valley Collection’s online gallery.

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