Long ago on independence square (Kansas City, Lexington: high school, shop, transportation)

[Kev 2732]

It was Glen Patches '57 Heaven Museum. After visiting with Google, I was reminded that he had 3 El Moroccos. The cars were auctioned in 2009.

[WCHS'59]

Originally Posted by Kev 2732

It was Glen Patches '57 Heaven Museum. After visiting with Google, I was reminded that he had 3 El Moroccos. The cars were auctioned in 2009.

56/57 Chevrolet El Morocco is correct.

[Mad Anthonie]

Originally Posted by WCHS'59

There was an Alvin Roderick May (b. 1912) who is listed as an owner of May Grain Co. He died in 1997. He very well might have been the last owner since at one point he went to work for a Life Insurance company.

The 1938 directory lists William H May as a VP of the Benefit Life Association, in addition to the May Coal & Lumber Company. The 1940 and 1942 directories don't show the insurance connection.

[WCHS'59]

Originally Posted by Mad Anthonie

The 1938 directory lists William H May as a VP of the Benefit Life Association, in addition to the May Coal & Lumber Company. The 1940 and 1942 directories don't show the insurance connection.

When is the latest anyone has heard of May being on south Liberty?

I think they were there in '59 but don't have any recollection after that.

Not much use for coal, not much use for grain shortly after that time.

[Mad Anthonie]

Originally Posted by WCHS'59

When is the latest anyone has heard of May being on south Liberty?

I think they were there in '59 but don't have any recollection after that.

Not much use for coal, not much use for grain shortly after that time.

My feeble memory has them still around in the early to mid 1960s. They were still listed in the 1960 directory. My 1988 edition shows Plastic Enterprises in that building. For anything between those years I'll have to go to the library.

[WCHS'59]

Originally Posted by Kev 2732

It was Glen Patches '57 Heaven Museum. After visiting with Google, I was reminded that he had 3 El Moroccos. The cars were auctioned in 2009.

The average auction price for all Chevy El Moroccos appears to be $147,333 with the lowest at $77,000 and the highest at $250,000.

[Mad Anthonie]

Here is the list of auto dealers in Independence for 1957...

[WCHS'59]

Originally Posted by Mad Anthonie

Here is the list of auto dealers in Independence for 1957...

Gene Cable Chevrolet had already purchased Bostian Chevrolet on west Maple and moved to north Main by this time. That was unknowingly a premature move since the exodus to south Noland took place just a few short years later.


Lund Motors on west Maple was the Studebaker dealer. But, they might have also been selling Packard’s since the Studebaker-Packard merger in ’54.



It is surprising that there were two Nash dealers in ’57. I don’t believe I had heard of the one on Truman Road, which was across from Van Horn high school. I took a look on Google and it seems I might, maybe, remember a car dealer of some kind being in there. It looks as though the showroom glass was boarded over early on and the building appears empty.


Some of the Independence Square new car dealers had their used car lots on 24 Highway, but Lund had their used car lot on Truman which would have been a block behind their Maple Street new car showroom.


Galen Boyer had a used car lot in the 900 block west block of Lexington, which MRG has pointed out but I can’t seem to remember them there.


Clipper-Rodekof is shown as in the 800 block of west Lexington but they must have very soon moved to Winner Road in Englewood.


Grimm-Debacker Kaiser-Fraser was located at 300 S Main and would have been gone by this time since Kaiser went out in ’55.



Latimer Dodge Chrysler is shown as being at 301 S Main, which would have been across the street. However, I only remember the Gas Service Company as being on that corner. As I recall there was a paying station located there along with some service trucks. Judging from the flags, some type of government building is now on that site.

[Mad Anthonie]

Originally Posted by WCHS'59

I don’t believe I had heard of the one on Truman Road, which was across from Van Horn high school. I took a look on Google and it seems I might, maybe, remember a car dealer of some kind being in there. It looks as though the showroom glass was boarded over early on and the building appears empty.

The building at 9701 E Truman Road was used for a different transportation related purpose after the car dealers left. What was it?

[WCHS'59]

Originally Posted by Mad Anthonie

The building at 9701 E Truman Road was used for a different transportation related purpose after the car dealers left. What was it?

auto body shop?