The Crane Company Building

This 120+ year old beauty in the West Bottoms was designed by iconic KC architect Louis S. Curtiss.

The Crane Company Building

1107 Hickory St, Kansas City, MO 64101 (Map)
Built: 1904-1905
Architect/Style: Louis S. Curtiss // Commercial
Area: West Bottoms

The historic Crane Company Building, also known as the Jacobs Warehouse Company, is located at 1105-1107 Hickory Street in Kansas City, Missouri. This six-story building, designed by Louis S. Curtiss, was built in 1904-1905 and served as a crucial warehouse for the Crane Company, a prominent manufacturer and distributor of industrial plumbing supplies.

The Crane Company Building's history is deeply intertwined with the growth of Kansas City's West Bottoms industrial district. Originally based in Chicago, the Crane Company established its Kansas City branch in 1887, recognizing the advantages of this prime location.

By the early 20th century, the Crane Company had outgrown its initial facilities and needed more space to accommodate its expanding operations. The new building on Hickory Street was part of a broader trend of industrial expansion in the West Bottoms, particularly after the devastating floods of 1903, which led to stricter building codes and the construction of more robust, flood-resistant structures.

Architectural Details