The Bauer Machine Works gasoline engines are first mentioned in farming and manufacturing catalogues. The Bauer becomes renowned for their manufacture of gasoline engines.

1921 marks the last year of The Bauer Machine Works as a purely industrial space. The next year, The Bauer makes its debut as a building for the arts, becoming home of The Yale Theatre Supply Company.

In the late 1920's, The Bauer opens its doors to the Standard Film Company and the US Army Motion Picture Services, as well as the KC Film Board of Trade. In the early 1930's, The Bauer officially becomes a part of Old Film Row.

During these decades, The Bauer continued to be used as a multi-purpose space for both the arts and industrial businesses. In 1970, The Bauer houses both a printing press company and a graphic arts business.

The Bauer, as it has transitioned throughout the decades, remains true to its historical frame as a space for art and industry. In 1995, the vision for the Crossroads Arts District begins to form. The Bauer establishes itself as a cornerstone of that vision in the year 2003.

The Bauer peaks as an arts space this year with the opening of The Arts Incubator of Kansas City. The Arts Incubator is comprised of artists, art dealers, and galleries. In 2007, one of the owners of the space opened a special effects company at The Bauer called Good Friends Entertainment: Motion Picture Special Effects.

The Bauer as it has transitioned throughout the decades remains true to it's historical framework as a space for the arts and industry. Artist studios, beauty boutiques, design, event space, technology, and woodworking are the heart of The Bauer today.