The Board of Trade Building, with its tall decorative tower at 210 W. 8th, was the prize-winning design of John Wellborn Root of the Chicago firm of architects, Burnham and Root. It was pictured in color on an early post card, believed published before or near the turn of the century. Root, who pioneered in developing the American skyscraper, was one of 53 architects who submitted plans in 1886 to the Board of Trade for their office building. It is said the erection of the impressive seven-story red brick structure, during the years 1886 to 1888, celebrated the importance of grain in Kansas City. The first grain market in Kansas City in 1869 occupied a one-room trading hall opposite the old Union Depot, in the West Bottoms. Corn in wagon load lots was the main commodity, with wheat secondary, and all with transactions handled on a cash basis. The building pictured was the center of grain trading in Kansas City between the years 1887 and 1925. It was considered one of John Root's best works, but, unfortunately, it is gone today. Kansas City Times, February 27, 1981.
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