Ernest Hemingway in Kansas City

Posted on by Lorenzo

The Hemingway Building

(former Police Station No. 4)

103 W 19 St, Kansas City, Missouri 64108, United States

The Hemingway Building at 103 W 19th St, Kansas City, Missouri
The former Police Station No. 4, now known as The Hemingway Building

The building that housed Police Station No. 4 also still exists, although it’s no longer a police station. The building was completed in 1916, just a year before Hemingway arrived in Kansas City and was used by the police for 22 years. The station was intended not only to protect the law-abiding citizens in the area but also the freight operations at the nearby Union Station. The first floor of the reinforced concrete building contained the police offices along with separate jail cells for whites and African-Americans. It was the first station in Kansas City to have segregated jail cells. The South Side Municipal Court and the judge’s and clerks’ quarters were located on the second floor of the building along with holding cells for juveniles.

On his visits to Police Station No. 4, Hemingway would sift through police reports and file a few items by phone. It’s since been renamed ‘The Hemingway Building’ and was added to the National Register of Historic Places in 2005. It’s located at 103 W 19th Street in the Crossroads Arts District of downtown Kansas City and is just over 5 minutes walk from the old Kansas City Star building and a little over 10 minutes walk from Union Station.

In recent years an event venue called Havana Room operated from the building but that seems to have closed sometime in 2020.

At the time of writing, the Hemingway Building appears to be home to Mammoth Productions, a creative agency that provides ‘visual storytelling, photography, editing, drone work, and cinematography to create branded content, commercials, brand anthems, recruiting videos, and more.’ In addition, the building is currently home to The Bird Comedy Theater.

Also, during the month of July, the Kansas City Fringe Festival has its office in the building. When I visited the Fringe office in July 2023, I was pleased to discover some photos of both Hemingway and places associated with him on one of the walls of a corridor in the building. In addition, there were a couple of old typewriters, hopefully the same model as the ones Hemingway might have used.

The former Police Station No 4, now known as The Hemingway Building
Another view of the former Police Station No. 4, now known as The Hemingway Building
In recent years the Hemingway Building was home to the Havana Room, an events space for weddings, baby showers club meetings etc. The Havana Room closed down sometime in 2020. The building is now home to Mammoth Productions.
In recent years the Hemingway Building was home to the Havana Room, an events space for weddings, baby showers club meetings etc. The Havana Room closed down sometime in 2020
Photo of the Hemingway Building with the word Studio on one of the windows. The Hemingway Building was home to AWStudio, who were 'known for creating compelling visual content for global brands, ad agencies, and in-house marketing teams.' The agency was bought by Mammoth Productions in mid 2022
The Hemingway Building was home to AWStudio, who were ‘known for creating compelling visual content for global brands, ad agencies, and in-house marketing teams.’ The agency was bought by Mammoth Productions in mid 2022.
The former Police Station No. 4, now known as The Hemingway Building
The former Police Station No. 4, now known as The Hemingway Building
At the rear of the Hemingway Building is this mural depicting a young Ernest Hemingway. The portrait was created by artist Jake Merten in an anime style
At the rear of the Hemingway Building is this mural depicting a young Ernest Hemingway. The portrait was created by artist Jake Merten in an anime style. The entrance to the Kansas City fringe office, which is open in July during the festival, is up the ramp on the right
Portrait of a young Ernest Hemingway by artist Jake Merten at the rear of the Hemingway Building
Portrait of a young Ernest Hemingway by artist Jake Merten at the rear of the Hemingway Building
Along one of the walls in a corridor in the Hemingway Building is this small tribute to the writer consisting of typewriters attached to the wall and various photos of Hemingway and places and activities associated with him
Along one of the walls in a corridor in the Hemingway Building is this small tribute to the writer
Along one of the walls in a corridor in the Hemingway Building is this small tribute to the writer consisting of typewriters attached to the wall and various photos of Hemingway and places and activities associated with him
More of the photos that form part of the small tribute to Hemingway in one of the corridors of the Hemingway Building in Kansas City
The corridor with the tribute to Hemingway along the wall on the left
The corridor with the tribute to Hemingway along the wall on the left
A glimpse of The Bird Comedy Theater inside one of the rooms in the Hemingway Building
A glimpse of The Bird Comedy Theater inside the Hemingway Building

Next … General Hospital

Pages: 1 2 3 4 5 6 7 8 9 10 11 12 13 14
Unknown's avatar

Published by Lorenzo

Leave a comment