United States Courthouse and Post Office, historic courthouse and post office, also known as Federal Courts Building, in Kansas City, Missouri
The United States Courthouse and Post Office is a ten-story pale limestone building in downtown Kansas City designed in the Art Moderne style. Inside, four courtrooms occupy the upper floors alongside a grand lobby with multicolor terrazzo flooring, marble walls, and tall columns creating a refined, sturdy atmosphere.
Built from 1938 to 1939 as one of the final New Deal projects during the Great Depression, the building aimed to create jobs and provide essential services. The Wight & Wight firm designed it, marking a shift from classical to modern architectural approaches.
The building witnessed pivotal civil rights decisions in the early 1950s when lawyers worked on cases challenging racial segregation in public facilities. These courtroom battles formed part of the broader movement toward equality and fair treatment for all citizens.
The building sits on Grand Avenue in downtown Kansas City and is easy to reach on foot. Today it houses both government offices and residential apartments, allowing visitors to see original architectural features like marble walls and terrazzo floors throughout different areas.
Thurgood Marshall, who later became the first African American Supreme Court Justice, worked on cases in this courthouse in the early 1950s. His efforts challenging segregation at public swimming pools contributed significantly to the civil rights movement.
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