Kansas City's center of business activity in 1912 was the Junction, pictured on an old post card that is the view looking north from Ninth toward Main and Delaware. The wedge-shaped, red brick Diamond Building, with awnings at each window, occupies the center of the scene, with an Owl Cigars Now 5 Cents sign topping the building. Lower floors housed railroad offices. Five street cars, a hansom cab drawn by a team of white horses, and several farm wagons make up the busy street scene. At the left side of the picture the Wells Fargo Express Co. sign extends out over the sidewalk, and an express wagon with canvas top stands waiting at the curb to be loaded with packages for that day's delivery. In the distance at 8th and Main is a pedestrian viaduct. In later years the Kay (Westgate) Hotel occupied the site of the Diamond Building. Today the sculptured bronze figure, Muse of the Missouri and three fountains dominate the scene, and nearby are the TenMain Complex and Commerce Tower. Kansas City Star, December 17, 1977.
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