The Twin Chimneys Motor Court in Cheyenne, Wyoming, which once gave travellers a place to stay along the historic Lincoln Highway, has been demolished to make way for a 7 Brew Coffee drive-thru stand. Its distinctive twin stone chimneys, the last parts of the old motel to be removed, came down in about 30 seconds earlier this week.
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According to Cowboy State Daily, the motel at 2405 East Lincolnway had been known for its twin chimneys, red exterior, green roof and knotty pine interior. The motor court had provided lodging for travellers for decades, while also giving them a covered place to keep their cars next to their rooms.
The demolition has drawn attention from many because the property was one of several old motor courts associated with travel along US Highway 30. Megan Stanfill, executive director of the Alliance for Historic Wyoming, said she was disappointed that the building was gone before there was a chance to consider ways of preserving it.
“I always hate seeing old buildings torn down before there’s a chance to save them,” Stanfill told Cowboy State Daily. “Instead of preserving it as a motel, maybe the chimneys could have been preserved as a landmark.”
Stanfill said discussions about giving old buildings a new use often happen only when it is already too late. She said she first noticed Twin Chimneys while driving past it and thought, “What a cool building.” A few months later, she saw that a fence had been put around the property.
