Thousands of travelers, including cattlemen, politicians, four Presidents, businessmen and convention delegates, stopped at the fortress-like Midland hotel in the horse and buggy days. Opened in 1888, the hotel had doors on three streets: Walnut, Grand and Seventh. Its size, central location and completeness of appointments made it a rival of the older Coates House on Broadway at Tenth street. Twelve of the Midland’s bedrooms boasted private baths. The cast-iron tubs were lined with gray-white enamel and had wooden rims. By 1902 every room had a telephone, a hotel record equaled only by the Touraine of Boston and Buckingham hotel of New York. A 75 X 25-foot swimming pool and steam baths in the basement made the place popular with businessmen. There was a mirrored bar off the main lobby. Parlor S was famous for the many political gatherings there. A large dining room on the fifth floor was the scene of many elaborate functions. Guests included such celebrities as Theodore Roosevelt, Elihu Root, E.H. Harriman, Gen. red Funston, Admiral George Dewey, Benjamin Harrison, George Gould, Charles W. Fairbanks, and Grover Cleveland. Luminaries from the Grand theater (across the street) like the Drews and Barrymores were regular guests. According to William Allen White, the cuisine was delectable, and he told of hearty breakfasts of fried and broiled oysters with strange sauces, fried potatoes, fruit and pancakes. On May 27, 1908, the Midland closed its doors. Contractors converted the structure into the Midland Office Building. But the charm of the old hotel remained with the spacious halls and lobbies, ornate wrought-iron stairway rails, ornamental plaster and open elevators with wrought-iron tracery. In 1917 the building became the Railway Exchange building. Many railroads and building contractors established offices there. The Building was razed in 1966 to make way for an automobile parking lot. Kansas City Times, March 22, 1969.
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