When the Quigley Heights Addition was added to the City of Tipton there was no #50 highway in that area--and--thus no 4-way. J.L. Thomas purchased several lots in the addition when they were first offered. He thought he had selected lots fronting the proposed highway. However, it was necessary for him to purchase part of two lots to enable him to have highway frontage. In 1926 he contracted with Mr. Byron Drake to construct a building on the southeast corner of the intersection (4-way). The framework of the building was of native oak lumber. The outside was covered with a very thick layer of stucco. This sturdy construction enabled the building to adequately withstand numerous remodelings, additions and even an explosion and a fire.
The original floor plan consisted of a full basement, a first floor with a kitchen, office, two restrooms and a combination garage and showroom for new Dodge cars and a second floor with a bathroom along with three bedrooms with walk4n closets. Later the garage was moved to the basement and access to it was made possible by means of a ramp from the west side. Two walls were removed on the first floor to make the north side one big area, which was used as a restaurant and the restrooms were moved to an extended basement area. A bedroom was also added to the first floor on the southwest corner of the building. At a later date the ramp to the basement was filled in and the garage no longer existed as a part of the business. A small room was also added on the northeast corner to be used as a small office and entry.
During its many years of use the building came to be known as the "station." Missouri Pacific buses - St. Louis to Kansas City and Marshall
used it as a rest stop and ticket office. In the "good-old-days" #50 and #5 were gravel roads, and those at the station were kept busy repairing tires for cars, buses and trucks. It became the favorite stopping place for many Kansas City people going to the Lake of the Ozarks. Service in those days was more personal than today and Mr. and Mrs. Thomas became well known to many travelers as Lem and Arnie. The second-floor rooms were often rented to travelers. As the demand for rooms became greater three cabins were constructed for rent by travelers. The last change to take place in the Thomas part of the 4-way was the addition of sewer and water lines to make the area behind the station available for use as a trailer park.
Gradually through the years the station was joined by other business establishments in and around the 4-way. Change is an inevitable thing and in the spring of 1972 the station was demolished.
This area today is occupied by The Butterfield Restaurant and nearby, the Tipton Plaza shopping center.
The "4-way" today is a favorite gathering place today just as the "Y" was in the days of railroads.