Asa Beebe Cross (1826-1894) Papers (KC0082)


In 1858, Asa Cross relocated to Kansas City where he opened A.B. Cross & Co., a lumberyard, in partnership with George Rippey. Cross gradually shifted his business emphasis from lumber sales to building as an architect and contractor. He was joined in business by his stepson, William E. Taylor, Jr. who specialized in railroad construction.

The collection includes account books for the Cross lumber yard, correspondence from family members, and a volume of business related letters pertaining to the career of William E. Taylor, Jr. Photographs include portraits of the Cross family and friends. Also included are papers relating to Cross family members and to the descendants of A.B. Cross through Catherine Cross Barnes, including her son, Alfred E. Barnes, Jr., who became a partner in the architectural firm of Hoit, Price, and Barnes, which built a number of prominent Kansas City buildings. Of note are diaries kept by Kate Cross before her marriage detailing daily activities of the Cross family and incidents in the Kansas City area. Kate Cross also maintained clipping books related to Cross and Taylor architectural projects, as well as more personal items. ca. 1855-1940.

64 folders.

INVENTORY  PDF 39KB

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