Dwight Building

Mr. Steven N. Dwight, described as having “a frankness of cordiality,” saw a magnitude of success in Kansas City’s future. A wealthy banker, Dwight invested in multiple Kansas City real-estate endeavors, owned the water works operation in Galena, Kan., and added his namesake 10-story, ornate all-steel frame structure (the first in the city!) to his empire in 1903. Unfortunately, Dwight passed away the following year. In 1904, his widow, Mrs. Della Dwight, took ownership and hired none other than the savvy Joseph Bruening. Bruening was the financier of the nearby Board of Trade Building, chairman of his J.A. Bruening Company, and owner/operator of a myriad of Kansas City buildings. Bruening just so happened to be married to Della Dwight’s niece – also named Della!