The Chandler Nursery, located at the southwest corner of 47th Street and Mill Creek (now J. C. Nichols Parkway) was a family owned and operated business for years before the Country Club Plaza was built. The Chandler name was one long associated with early-day horticulture and horticultural societies in Westport and Jackson County. The family also owned other properties in the Brush Creek Valley. In 1916 Clarence A. Chandler, founder of the floral operation, decided to build the steam-heated green-house as pictured. The tall smokestack of the heating plant was a landmark for years. The Chandler building just north of the green-houses housed the Chandler retail shop as well as medical offices on the second floor. Three doctors leased space, the first doctors to have offices in the Plaza area. They were Dr. R. R. Haden, Dr. J. R. McVay and Dr. T. J. Orr. Long after the J. C. Nichols Company started plans for building the Plaza as a suburban shopping center, the Chandler Floral Company continued operation as private owners. When the Plaza plan was completed and first Plaza buildings were erected by Nichols, the Chandler firm found itself almost directly across the street from the new Mill Creek Building (shown at right). In 1928 Nichols purchase the Chandler property and today Swanson's store and the Chandler court, named in honor of the family, occupy the site. The post card titled Panorama, Country Club District was published in black and white in France by Jno. Straley. Kansas City Times, July 7, 1978.
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