Keene & Simpson
Keene & Simpson was a Kansas City architectural firm whose regional practice produced commercial, civic, institutional, residential, and religious projects across the central United States from 1909 to 1980.
Last updated August 26, 2026
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Overview
Keene & Simpson was an American architectural partnership headquartered in Kansas City, Missouri. It was established in 1909 by Arthur Samuel Keene and Leslie Butler Simpson after the two architects worked together in the office of architect Henry F. Hoit. The firm became an important regional practice, designing buildings in Kansas, Missouri, and Oklahoma across a broad range of building types, including banks, office buildings, schools, courthouses, libraries, theaters, residences, churches, industrial facilities, and civic complexes. Arthur S. Keene brought formal architectural training from the Massachusetts Institute of Technology and earlier professional experience in Boston with Shepley, Rutan & Coolidge and Guy Lowell. Leslie B. Simpson had developed his architectural education through public schooling and correspondence study before moving to Kansas City and joining the office of Van Brunt & Howe, a predecessor of Howe & Hoit. Their partnership combined Keene's eastern training and professional background with Simpson's Kansas City experience and regional connections. The firm's work extended beyond Kansas City. Among its best-known commissions were the Philtower Building in Tulsa, Oklahoma, undertaken with Kansas City architect Edward Buehler Delk; the Phillips Petroleum Company Building in Bartlesville, Oklahoma; the Wichita Club in Wichita, Kansas; and several major Kansas City-area commercial and civic structures. Keene & Simpson also participated in significant public projects, including the Jackson County Courthouse in Independence and the later Jackson County Courthouse in Kansas City. The firm served as consultant on Tulsa's Boston Avenue Methodist Church, a notable project designed by Bruce Goff and Adah Robinson. In 1955, John Thomas Murphy became a partner, and the practice was renamed Keene & Simpson & Murphy. Murphy had joined the office in 1945 and later became its managing figure. Keene retired in 1962, and Simpson died in 1961. Murphy continued operating the renamed firm until his retirement in 1980, bringing the practice's active period to an end. The partnership's professional standing was reflected in its involvement with the American Institute of Architects. Keene joined the organization in 1916 and became an AIA Fellow in 1938. Simpson joined in 1921, while Murphy joined in 1945 and was elevated to Fellowship in 1964. The firm's architectural legacy remains visible in surviving buildings and historic properties: at least twelve structures designed wholly or partly by Keene & Simpson have been listed on the United States National Register of Historic Places, while other works contribute to designated historic districts. Because the practice was an architectural firm rather than a consumer-facing product brand, its principal offerings were design, planning, and architectural services represented by individual buildings and commissions.
History
Arthur Samuel Keene and Leslie Butler Simpson formed Keene & Simpson in Kansas City in 1909. Both architects had arrived at the office of Henry F. Hoit through different routes. Keene was born in Brighton, Boston, in 1875 and studied at the Massachusetts Institute of Technology, graduating in 1898. Before moving to Kansas City in 1907, he worked as a drafter for Shepley, Rutan & Coolidge and later in the office of Guy Lowell. In Kansas City he joined Howe & Hoit, where he worked with Simpson. Simpson, born in Clayton, Missouri, in 1885, moved to Kansas City in 1901. His early architectural education came through correspondence courses offered by the International Correspondence School of Scranton, Pennsylvania. He worked for Van Brunt & Howe and its successor practice before joining Hoit. In 1909, Simpson and Keene left to establish their own firm. The partnership developed a substantial regional practice. Its commissions covered much of the built environment of the central United States, ranging from houses and libraries to office towers, banks, courthouses, schools, theaters, and corporate buildings. The firm was particularly associated with Kansas City and surrounding Missouri and Kansas communities, but its work also reached Oklahoma. It frequently participated in collaborative arrangements. The Philtower Building in Tulsa was designed in association with Edward Buehler Delk, while the Jackson County Courthouse in Independence involved Frederick C. Gunn, Wight & Wight, and consulting architect Edward F. Neild. Keene & Simpson also acted as consultants for the Boston Avenue Methodist Church in Tulsa, designed by Bruce Goff and Adah Robinson and completed in 1929. The firm's portfolio included the Wichita Club, the Lyndon Carnegie Library, the Levi McIntire house, the Major Hotel, the Thos. Corrigan Building, the Gate City National Bank Building, the Land Bank Building, the Argyle Building addition, the Phillips Petroleum Company Building, the Philtower Building, the Armour Theatre Building, the Kansas City Scottish Rite Temple, the Home for Convalescent Employed Women, the Jackson County courthouses, and the Hall of Waters. Later commissions included Van Horn High School, the 811 Main Street building, Southeast Junior High School, Commerce Tower, the First National Bank Building in Leavenworth, and Executive Plaza. The partnership expanded in 1955 when John Thomas Murphy joined as a named partner. Murphy had worked for the firm since 1945 and eventually managed the practice. Following Simpson's death in 1961 and Keene's retirement in 1962, Murphy continued the business under the name Keene & Simpson & Murphy until 1980. Murphy retired that year, ending the firm's active practice. Professional recognition accompanied the firm's long regional career. Keene became an American Institute of Architects member in 1916 and an AIA Fellow in 1938. Simpson joined the AIA in 1921, and Murphy joined in 1945 before becoming a Fellow in 1964. The firm's surviving buildings form its principal legacy. At least twelve structures designed wholly or partly by the partnership have been placed on the National Register of Historic Places, and additional projects are contributing resources within historic districts.
- 1980
Practice ends
[1]Murphy retired and the active practice of Keene & Simpson & Murphy came to an end.
- 1964
Murphy elevated to AIA Fellowship
[1]John T. Murphy became a Fellow of the American Institute of Architects.
- 1962
Keene retires
[1]Arthur S. Keene retired from practice, leaving Murphy to manage the renamed firm.
- 1961
Simpson dies
[1]Leslie B. Simpson died in Kansas City while the expanded partnership continued.
- 1955
Firm renamed Keene & Simpson & Murphy
[1]John T. Murphy became a named partner, expanding the partnership and taking on a major management role.
- 1945
Murphy joins the practice
[1]John T. Murphy began working for Keene & Simpson, a role that preceded his later entry into the partnership.
- 1938
Keene elevated to AIA Fellowship
[1]Arthur S. Keene was elected a Fellow of the American Institute of Architects.
- 1921
Simpson joins the American Institute of Architects
[1]Leslie B. Simpson joined the American Institute of Architects.
- 1916
Keene joins the American Institute of Architects
[1]Arthur S. Keene became a member of the American Institute of Architects.
- 1909
Partnership established
[1]Arthur S. Keene and Leslie B. Simpson left the office of Howe & Hoit and formed Keene & Simpson in Kansas City.
Products and positioning
A regional American architectural practice specializing in durable commercial, civic, institutional, and residential buildings, often delivered through collaborations with other architects and consultants.
Commercial architecture · 1927
Philtower Building
A major Tulsa, Oklahoma, commercial building designed by Keene & Simpson in association with Edward Buehler Delk. The project represents the firm's work beyond the Kansas City region and is among its most prominent surviving commissions.
Civic architecture · 1932
Jackson County Courthouse
Keene & Simpson participated in the design of the Jackson County courthouse in Independence, Missouri, working with Frederick C. Gunn, Wight & Wight, and consulting architect Edward F. Neild. The firm was also involved in a later Jackson County courthouse in Kansas City.
Civic and institutional architecture · 1936
Hall of Waters
A large civic and water-treatment complex in Excelsior Springs, Missouri, designed during the firm's mature period. Its inclusion on the National Register reflects the historical importance of the building and the firm's regional public architecture.
Religious and fraternal architecture · 1928
Kansas City Scottish Rite Temple
A substantial Kansas City building designed by the partnership between 1928 and 1930. It illustrates the firm's ability to handle large ceremonial, assembly, and institutional commissions.
Office architecture · 1962
Commerce Tower
A Kansas City office tower designed during the firm's later period. The project demonstrates the practice's continued participation in large-scale commercial development after the original founders' partnership had evolved.
Corporate and industrial architecture · 1927
Phillips Petroleum Company Building
A corporate building in Bartlesville, Oklahoma, designed in phases in 1927 and 1930. The work reflects the firm's role in producing architecture for major regional businesses and energy-sector clients.
Brand decisions
1955
Expand the partnership to include John T. MurphyStrategyBackground
Murphy had worked in the office since 1945 and had become an experienced member of the practice.
Action taken
The firm made Murphy a named partner and adopted the name Keene & Simpson & Murphy.
Aftermath
Murphy later managed the practice after Simpson's death and Keene's retirement, continuing operations until 1980.
Sources1 sources
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