90-year-old Cheyenne motor court demolished for drive-thru coffee shop

The Twin Chimneys Motor Court in Cheyenne, Wyoming has been demolished to make way for a 7 Brew Coffee drive-thru stand. The iconic motel, known for its distinctive twin stone chimneys, red exterior, green roof, and knotty pine interior, provided lodging and parking for travelers along the historic Lincoln Highway. The last remaining parts of the motel, the twin chimneys, were demolished in about 30 seconds earlier this week.

Megan Stanfill, executive director of the Alliance for Historic Wyoming, expressed disappointment that the building was demolished before it could be preserved. She noted that motor courts like Twin Chimneys once competed for travelers' money by making their properties easily recognizable. The Lincoln Highway, a privately funded transcontinental road that began construction in 1913, led to the development of motor courts offering both accommodation and a place to park cars.

Stanfill hopes that there will be more interest in preserving old buildings along historic routes like the Lincoln Highway. The Twin Chimneys Motor Court property was cleared in about three days following the city's required demolition process.