Local Programs

For Broadcast in Spring 2008

Much like the excitement today when cities compete to land a pro sports franchise, Kansas City in 1913 was aiming for the big leagues of banking and finance. The goal? To be awarded one of the twelve regional banks in the government's newly created Federal Reserve System, an event that would catapult our town into "the majors."

The odds, however, were daunting — with a cross-state rival like St. Louis virtually guaranteed a seat at the table. But this time the long shot did come in, and the Kansas City Federal Reserve Bank was a reality within less than a year.

The story of how that pivotal decision came to be made, the powerful figures who made it possible, and the celebration that ensued are all part of a new KCPT documentary to coincide with the opening of the Fed's new facility south of Liberty Memorial in Spring 2008.

Creation and broadcast of this program will help viewers better understand this vital cog in the country's monetary system, quietly at work here for nearly a century. The grand structure built for it downtown in the 1920s has outlasted wars and the Great Depression, as well as the era of tommy gun toting bank robbers. An ex-president named Truman even officed there!

Shot in high definition television, the anecdotes and memories from those who've spent time there, together with fascinating artifacts within, will enrich this hour-long presentation from KCPT's award-winning production team.