The Colonnade

I sometimes leave the house with just one lens - just for fun.  It is rarely the Nikon 10.5 DX Fisheye though.   Went to the Concourse here in Northeast Kansas City.  Built in 1907-08 and designed by architect Henry Wright - a partner of George Kessler - it graces a prominent western location on The Concourse.  The fish-eye-so named for it's kind of distortion-is not terribly practical.  But it is very sharp and fun to use in some circumstances.  It's major distortion was corrected in Photoshop..but much remains. 

Above is an image of The Colonnade not long after it was constructed ca1908. The view is west from Gladstone Boulevard. 

                                                                           And...today. 

A Ride Along Cliff Drive Scenic Byway

Take a ride on the Cliff Drive Scenic Byway...  a ten-minute trip..... enjoy!!!!!

The Colonnade

I photograph this more than any other public structure... it's just so elegant. Built in 1908. It's the crown jewel of the Concourse. This is a total of 20 exposures combined into 4 shots that were stitched together to make one. I removed streetlights because I hate their positioning.

Take A Hike

The Cliff Drive Scenic Byway has lots of opportunities to get some good exercise by walking the Drive or by hiking the Indian Mound Trail. I've created maps that show both the human hiking trails (red) and the routes the animals use (green) which are oftentimes usable by us as well. Blue represents water in either spring or pool form. The top map shows the Byway from Elmwood Ave. and Gladstone Boulevard east to Indian Mound and Belmont Ave. The bottom shows the Byway from Elmwood and Gladstone west to Scarritt Point and the midpoint access to the Drive. HyperHouse is indicated by a red dot on the top map.

Cliff Drive is closed each weekend to motorized traffic so it's a great time for a family hike. The Trail is moderate in difficulty but make sure footwear is waterproof.

Click on the images below to make them larger. These are stolen from Google Maps and marked up in Photoshop. The top map shows the Indian Mound portion of the Byway, the bottom shows the Scarritt Renaissance section.

Cliff Drive was created between 1890 and 1910. It was designed by George Kessler for whom the surrounding parkland is now named. Originally called North Terrace Park it was complemented by West Terrace Park which was adjacent to what is now Case Park by Quality Hill.

Along The Bluff

More shots along Cliff Drive. Immediately below looking down at North Terrace Lake from the Lexington Avenue Bridge.The Island.... may or may not contain pirate treasure.
Bluffs near Prospect Point.
Cliff Drive Chestnut Bridge
Abandoned stairs by Chestnut Bridge.

After 110 Years, New Again

In 1899 George Kessler and John VanBrunt designed and had constructed the Ninth Street Fountain. It was at the entrance to the grand expanse of beautiful park construction down the center of Paseo Boulevard. The fountain quit working in the 1940s and despite several attempts to bring it back to life only this week was the redesigned fountain ready for service.

Now known as the "Women's Leadership Fountain" the north side of the fountain fronts on Ninth Street. This is the view looking south.



Illuminated by period lighting the fountain is even more elegant at night.


Looking northwest.


Looking north. The entrance to the Paseo Bridge (now closed for construction) is only three blocks from here.

The Colonnade at Sunset

Constructed in 1908 the Colonnade in the Northeast part of Kansas City completed the grand design of George Kessler for North Terrace Park and the Concourse. One can enjoy a lovely view of Cliff Drive below and the east bottoms off in the distance. There is most always a breeze/wind there which makes it comfortable in summer and heck on hair in portraits.