The KCAI Crossroads Gallery at 1908 Main St. is the scene of monthly exhibitions of artwork by students who attend the Kansas City Art Institute, a four-year college of art and design located at 4415 Warwick Blvd. For more information about KCAI, visit www.kcai.edu.
The gallery occupies the first floor of a building that once served as headquarters for Kansas City political “boss” Tom Pendergast. Listed on Kansas City’s register of historic places, the building is owned by Rick and Betsey Solberg, who since 2005 have made gallery space available to KCAI for student exhibitions and sales.
On most First Fridays during the academic year a student exhibition opens with a reception from 5 to 9 p.m. Otherwise, the gallery is open by appointment through the college’s Office of Student Life, 816-802-3423.
Information about Thomas Pendergast (1872-1945) is available in the local history section of the Kansas City Public Library’s Web site at www.kclibrary.org/localhistory. Below is the text of a biography that is posted on the site:
“Pendergast controlled Kansas City as a president would control a large corporation,” write author Susan Jezak Ford Ford. “Posing as a mere businessman, Pendergast ran the city so that workers were provided jobs, chosen politicians ran the government and the entire ‘machine’ made a profit that filled his pockets. Pendergast's influence brought more corruption to Kansas City than anyone in history, but is also credited with helping the city survive the Great Depression.
“Thomas Joseph Pendergast was born in 1873 in St. Joseph, Missouri, one of nine children. He came to Kansas City in the 1890s and worked in his brother Jim's saloon in the West Bottoms. Tom learned about Kansas City's political system and the advantages of controlling blocks of voters from his older brother. When Jim died in 1911, the reins of the local Democratic party were passed to Tom.
“Under Pendergast's direction, alcohol flowed during prohibition, gambling flourished and scores of ballots were cast to keep political friends in power. In return, prime government building contracts were awarded to Pendergast-controlled companies, such as the Ready Mixed Concrete Company. The Pendergast Machine vote ensured the passage of a $40 million bond program that led to the construction of numerous civic buildings during the Depression. The unemployed lined up daily at 1908 Main Street seeking an influential recommendation that could secure a job in tough times. His power extended from the lowest janitor to Harry S. Truman, a handpicked 1934 candidate for U.S. Senate.
“Local reformers despised Pendergast's corruption and control. Urged on by Rabbi Samuel Mayerberg, citizens and the press relentlessly demanded change. Reform candidates were elected to the City Council in 1934, and Pendergast's decline began. His addiction to betting at the racetrack led to his ultimate downfall. He was arraigned in 1939 on failing to pay taxes on a bribe received to pay off gambling debts. After serving 15 months in prison, he lived quietly at his home, 5650 Ward Parkway, until his death in 1945.”
On most First Fridays during the academic year a student exhibition opens with a reception from 5 to 9 p.m. Otherwise, the gallery is open by appointment through the college’s Office of Student Life, 816-802-3423.
Information about Thomas Pendergast (1872-1945) is available in the local history section of the Kansas City Public Library’s Web site at www.kclibrary.org/localhistory. Below is the text of a biography that is posted on the site:
“Pendergast controlled Kansas City as a president would control a large corporation,” write author Susan Jezak Ford Ford. “Posing as a mere businessman, Pendergast ran the city so that workers were provided jobs, chosen politicians ran the government and the entire ‘machine’ made a profit that filled his pockets. Pendergast's influence brought more corruption to Kansas City than anyone in history, but is also credited with helping the city survive the Great Depression.
“Thomas Joseph Pendergast was born in 1873 in St. Joseph, Missouri, one of nine children. He came to Kansas City in the 1890s and worked in his brother Jim's saloon in the West Bottoms. Tom learned about Kansas City's political system and the advantages of controlling blocks of voters from his older brother. When Jim died in 1911, the reins of the local Democratic party were passed to Tom.
“Under Pendergast's direction, alcohol flowed during prohibition, gambling flourished and scores of ballots were cast to keep political friends in power. In return, prime government building contracts were awarded to Pendergast-controlled companies, such as the Ready Mixed Concrete Company. The Pendergast Machine vote ensured the passage of a $40 million bond program that led to the construction of numerous civic buildings during the Depression. The unemployed lined up daily at 1908 Main Street seeking an influential recommendation that could secure a job in tough times. His power extended from the lowest janitor to Harry S. Truman, a handpicked 1934 candidate for U.S. Senate.
“Local reformers despised Pendergast's corruption and control. Urged on by Rabbi Samuel Mayerberg, citizens and the press relentlessly demanded change. Reform candidates were elected to the City Council in 1934, and Pendergast's decline began. His addiction to betting at the racetrack led to his ultimate downfall. He was arraigned in 1939 on failing to pay taxes on a bribe received to pay off gambling debts. After serving 15 months in prison, he lived quietly at his home, 5650 Ward Parkway, until his death in 1945.”
