The turn-of-the-century Weeks Hardware Co. building on Route 66 in Carterville, Missouri, is listed for sale.
Ordinarily, I don’t publish stories about properties for sale on the Mother Road. But this one is an exception because of its historic nature and prominence in Carterville’s downtown.
According to Kathy Sidenstricker at Smith Midwest Real Estate, the Weeks building at 326 W. Main St. was built about 1900 to supply hardware for the region’s mines. During the 1920s, it became a “drive-in” hotel in which overnight guests could use a freight elevator to take their cars to the second floor.
A little research reveals that mining magnate Amos A. Cass was a partner and director of Weeks Hardware Co. He died in 1915.
Weeks Hardware later became the Morton Booth Co., a cabinet maker that’s now based in nearby Webb City.
The three-story structure lists for $159,900, with more than 19,000 square feet of space.
One side of the building’s ground floor is covered with unfortunate green siding and its interior is nothing to write home about. But the photos provided by Sidenstricker show amazing-looking wood floors and architectural details on the upper floors, as you’ll see below.
This, in short, is a real gem that awaits rediscovery and renewal. The contact information is here.
What a great building. Can think of many uses. Hope it’s preserved.