A new firearms store and gun range is being built along Route 66 in Springfield, Missouri, at the old Hawkins Mill site and using pieces of it in its design.
Cherokee Firearms of Springfield is building a new facility at Kansas Expressway and College Street (aka Route 66).
The new place’s resemblance to the historic Hawkins Mill, which was torn down earlier this year, is not a coincidence. Builders are repurposing pieces of the old mill for the Cherokee Firearms facility design, reported KY3-TV in Springfield.
According to a post on Cherokee Firearms’ Facebook page, the new facility will have an eight-alley shooting range and “plenty of parking, unlike our lot here on National.”
Don’t think this facility will lack in appeal for Route 66 travelers. Guy Mace, who owns the Route 66 Car Museum down the road, took note of its niche-filling potential:
Guy has been surprised by the number of people from around the world stopping by. He thinks that demographic will appreciate the new Cherokee Firearms facility.
“Europeans and foreigners they have very restrictive gun laws. So, you see a firearms dealer going in right here- that is going to be a wonderful addition to our environment.
Hawkins Mill opened in 1940 initially as a flour mill along College Street. It converted itself into a feed mill and continued operating until it closed in the 1990s. The complex also was used as an antique mall for a time.
The site’s previous owner tried to get someone to move the entire building to another site, but it would have cost $2.5 million just to bring it up to safety and building codes.
So it’s good Cherokee Firearms is incorporating pieces of the longtime local landmark into its look.
(Artist’s rendering of the new Cherokee Firearms facility via Facebook)
When I worked at the Rail Haven, I was asked numerous times by European Rt. 66 travelers if there was any way for them to fire a gun while they were in the United States. I always sent them to Bass Pro and can tell several stories about them returning to the Rail Haven grinning like little kids because they had gotten to fire a gun. That is such an illegal activity in most of Europe, and it boggles minds that we will let even kids in the USA shoot guns in many gun range operations if a parent is present. I know Cherokee Firearms will be a big hit with many Route 66 travelers.
Being a Springfield native, I was sad to see Hawkins Mill torn down. It was the last independent mill of its kind to operate in Missouri and it had been closed quite awhile. I’ve watched the construction and I’m very happy with what I see being done. It is going to be a nice compliment to the other work being done along College Street/Rt. 66 corridor, and is going to be a great stop for Route 66 travelers. Can’t wait for them to get open!
That’s a nice looking place. I’m glad to see them bring back a little of the flavor of the old mill. Adding another entertainment option for travelers is just icing on the Route 66 cake,