Did I discover an ancient fortress in the wilderness? Well, not exactly, as if you look closer, you see that this castle has cinder blocks in its windows and doors.
The Vine Street Workhouse was the old jail for the city of Kansas City, which I had the opportunity to visit over the Memorial Day weekend.
Located on the near east side of the city, it sits in a veritable forest of overgrown trees and underbrush.
The good news is that the jail has been been mothballed and the owner is actively seeking to find a buyer for the property.
It’s a stunning building, though slightly smaller in real life than I thought it was by looking at pictures on-line. A railroad runs right by the site, further confirming that this is no long lost medieval castle.
I was impressed by this gigantic weed; does anyone know what it is?
Re: the weed. It looks a bit like a sorghum plant gone feral. Judging from the other photos, it's got some company of its peers. Glad the local yokel graffiti "artistes" haven't destroyed the thing.
There is quite a lot of info on this (and the sorta-related buildings across the street) in the Underground Ozarks-Kansas City Forum, as well as a preservationist KC site (forget where, though). A friend in KC told me about it. It's also possible to do a Bing Birdseye view of it, as well as a Google driveby view. Pretty neat.
Chris,Perhaps the wild plant in question is Pale Dock. If so, I'm told Native Americans made a gruel of the seeds.~Keith
Eh, it’s not really mothballed, per se. You can just walk right in, the place is trashed and there’s basically nothing but the walls remaining..
I was being a bit facetious.
what is the address? I would love to visit! michaelabourn@outlook.com is my email if anyone would tell me. Thank you very much!
2001 Vine Street, Kansas City, MO 64108
I really love this old VINE WORKHORSEI want to see more ofitbecause I live at 18th& VINE HISTORIC DISTRICT,would someone take me over their some times?