The National Cloak & Suit Co. Building is pictured on a post card published in color and with a decorative border by Hall Brothers in the early 1920s. The address side of the card bears the following printed legend: Two thousand people are employed in this building, which also contains a thoroughly modern hospital, cafeteria, recreation room, ball grounds, tennis courts, etc. The 12-story structure, located at Hardesty and Independence Avenue, was erected in 1919 and occupied in 1920. The cost was $2.5 million. National Cloak & Suit carried on business in the impressive quarters until 1927, when the company merged with Bellas Hess and the firm used the latter name. Following World War II the structure was used for a quartermaster's depot and included a unit that processed personal effects of deceased military personnel. In 1948 the adjutant general's department of the Army established the Kansas City Records Center in the building. This was a consolidation of five record centers located in various U.S. cities. Today the building is still federally owned, but is empty and unused. The General Services Administration will dispose of the building after receiving a feasibility study. Kansas City Star, October 15, 1977.
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