Nestled in Wichita, Kansas, the Riverside Park Comfort Station is more than just a restroom; it’s a piece of living history. This Art Deco structure was built during the Great Depression to give park goers a place to go.
North Riverside Park was acquired in 1897 and was a popular spot before the Great Depression hit. Families flocked to the Park Villa shelter house for picnics and gatherings, but there was one big problem – no restroom facilities. Visitors needed a convenient and comfortable place to go, which led to the creation of the Comfort Station.
Lewis William Clapp (L.W. Clapp), who designed the Comfort Station, was more than just a designer, he was a visionary for Wichita’s parks. Serving as the president of the Board of Park Commissioners from 1920 until his death in 1934, Clapp also held roles as city commissioner, mayor, and city manager. He was the landscape designer for several parks including Oak and Sim and the architectural mastermind of many park structures.
In 1934, the Comfort Station was built as part of a CWA project for around $2,500, marking the first time a city park received federal funding for new construction during the New Deal era. Clapp chose the Art Deco style for its modern and decorative flair.
One of the standout features of the Comfort Station is its use of Carthalite, making the building durable and visually striking with its colorful geometric designs that resemble, “sun rays coming down.”
You might be wondering what is Carthalite? I found an interesting story on it and had ChatGPT bust it down to one paragraph:
In the early 20th century, the Cement Stone & Supply Company of Wichita branded their cast stone product as “Carthalite,” adding a unique twist by incorporating color into their concrete mix during the 1920s and 1930s. By blending mineral pigments and crushed colored glass, they created striking designs that adorned various structures, from bungalows to synagogues, and several schools, infusing Art Deco flair into otherwise typical brick buildings. This technique, rare in the Central Plains and possibly the entire country, resulted in beautifully decorated cast-stone panels that feature geometric and curvilinear designs, deeply colored into the concrete. Notably, these colorful Carthalite elements appeared on a limited number of buildings between 1927 and 1940, including the iconic WPA Comfort Station in North Riverside Park and the Native American motifs on the Minisa Bridge.
Located at 1000 N. Bitting Avenue, the Comfort Station isn’t just a functional building; it’s an example of how Art Deco can be applied to everyday structures. Architect Dean Bradley commented, “It’s got clerestory windows that shine daylight into each restroom, and little vestibules that are outdoors so you’re not opening the door and seeing right into the restroom.”
On April 16, 2008, the North Riverside Park Comfort Station was added to the National Register of Historic Places (Reference Number 08000307), recognizing its architectural charm and historical significance, and ensuring that it will be seen by generations to come.
To learn more stories about Wichita’s Riverside Park, check out Mini-Series: Riverside Park
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