Local group considers buying the Boots Motel

A group in Carthage, Mo., is considering ways to preserve the historic Boots Motel along Route 66 as a town landmark, reports the Joplin Globe.

“It was pretty much unanimous that they want to see more preservation along Route 66 in Carthage. Since the Boots is for sale, it would be the first target,” said Wendi Douglas, executive director of the Carthage Convention and Visitors Bureau.

The initial meeting on Friday was organized by Lora Phelps, a vice president at UMB Bank.

“A lot of people feel the Boots should be preserved and that it could be utilized as a way to bring more people to Carthage,” she said. “We wanted to get a group together, and now we’re discussing ideas and exploring our options.”

The motel, which dates to 1939, was closed in 2003 after it was sold, reportedly so it could make way for a Walgreens drugstore. That reputed plan was abandoned after historic preservationists, Route 66 fans, and the Carthage newspaper protested. The building has been used as apartments since, and recently was listed for sale for $225,000. And barely a week ago, the motel was listed as one of the 10 most endangered roadside places by the Society of Commercial Archaeology.

I know that area native Ron Hart has been among those trying to buy and preserve the Boots, and has even launched a website to try to drum up support. And it’s encouraging that an officer at a local bank organized that initial meeting at the chamber of commerce office.

But talk is cheap. If a move is going to be made to acquire the Boots Motel, it’s going to require money.

5/2/2011: Here’s a Carthage Press report about the Boots Motel.

2 thoughts on “Local group considers buying the Boots Motel

  1. Ron,
    Sometimes talk is not cheap when it comes to any effort to acquire and restore a Route 66 landmark. I have been promoting the purchase and restoration of the Boots Motel for four years now, and have made it clear that I cannot afford to buy it, but perhaps I could help find a suitable buyer. To that end I built a Boots Motel website, and a “Save the Boots Motel” Facebook page. I never said I intended to buy it without assistance (see website quotes”…

    “Ron Hart, founder and director of the Route 66 Chamber of Commerce, is looking into arranging the purchase of the property to restore and preserve it as the vintage motel it once was in it’s hey-day of the 40’s and 50’s.” (Homepage)
    and…
    “Our first step will be to either enter into a purchase agreement with the owner or, at the very least, help locate another preservation-minded buyer.” (Restoration Plan page)

    I am glad that the Carthage Chamber is working on a plan. That is all anyone could ask for. Thanks.
    Ron Hart

    1. Ron, if you’re entering into a purchase agreement, you’re essentially buying property along with other individuals. That’s why I worded it “among those,” which could be construed as one person buying it, or several.

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