Busch – Kirby Building, Part II

Busch-Kirby Building
1509 Main Street, Dallas

Originally built by Adolphus Busch as a 17-story office and retail space (it has more recently been converted to condos and retail space).  Completed in 1913, the retail anchor until 1965 was the A. Harris Department store.  But, in addition to the department store, it also held so many different offices for various railroad lines that many people informally referred to this building as Railroad Headquarters.

Fun Fact: It was added to the National Register of Historic Places on the 4^th of July, 1980.
unFun Fact:  I originally hoped that the Kirby vacuum cleaner people had offices here, hence the second name.  Nope.  Adolphus Busch held the building for a mere 5 years before the Kirby Investment group from Houston bought it. Borrrrr-ing.
Super Nerd Fact:  Jim Kirby designed his own vacuums and started selling them in 1906, but that name was not used until at least 1930.  Too late for our building.

Image 1:  Bad ass interior detailing of the Busch-Kirby building. (Adventures of a Carry On website)
Image 2:  Detail your bad ass interior with this vintage Kirby vacuum. (Several of these 1960s models are for sale all over the internet!)

Book a walking tour with us if you need more weird facts in your life.