The name McClintock's recalls to many the glittering elegance of that famous cafe at the northeast corner of Twelfth and Walnut streets, in the early 1900s. Robert McClintock, proprietor, came to Kansas City by steamboat from St. Louis in 1865. After 11 years with a mercantile firm, he started a bakery at 119 East Fourth street, which was also his residence. This was followed in 1891 by a small restaurant at 1006 Main street, which was one of the three major, early-day eating places near the Junction. The others were Herman's, 809 Main, and Dornseif's, a few doors away. In later years McClintock operated restaurant at 920 Walnut street, and 1125-27 Walnut. His son Robert S. McClintock, operated one at 816 Walnut. The ultimate in McClintock's enterprise was achieved with establishment of the Twelfth and Walnut spot (above) where restaurants were operated on three levels. An early description of the place told of white & gold ceiling studded with 400 light globes (electricity was still something to boast of), the white walls dazzled with heavy mirrors and rose shaded candelabras, a French chef and an attempt at air conditioning. Advertised as the largest cafeteria in the West, it was open all night. At the elder McClintock's death July 17, 1917, after 44 years as a dedicated restaurant, his son Robert S. McClintock took over the operation. He ran it profitably, but he found that the $30,000 annual profit was exactly what he could obtain by merely leasing the valuable property. He eventually went into the business of downtown leasing. Thus ended nearly half a century of good foods served in pleasant surroundings at the popular McClintock's restaurant. Kansas City Times, February 1, 1969.
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