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Photos July 2003: Demolition crew (courtesy of Mark Ihrie)
 
Greeted by Official Apathy... Barrett Williams, a member of the Landmarks Association of St. Louis and HoJo's enthusiast made a concerted effort to have at least some reminder of the Restaurant preserved. He tirelessly lobbied them, but sadly the St. Louis County Museum of Transportation refused to incorporate anything from Kirkwood into their $12 million "Legacy in Motion" exhibit which was then being readied to commemorate various facets of transportation. Museum director Jim Worton rebuffed him saying that the museum would be happy to accept donated artifacts, but would expend no effort to seek them. Of course Van Stavern had already sold everything off by that point, and just the cupola remained which he said the museum could have if they paid to remove it prior to the building's demolition. Thus round and round they didn't go, and the museum and community were left with nothing--all that remains is a distant and fading memory.
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 

Demolition Day July 30, 2003... Lest ye think that the building was in some way saved or recycled, these photos snapped by the crew who demolished Kirkwood clearly show the destruction. Sensing its importance and concerned about the loss of the last-of-a-kind historic structure, they carefully removed and crated up the cupola guessing that someone somewhere would want to preserve it.

Only the 1973 addition which had housed the Glen Lounge and connected the Restaurant to the Motor lodge was left standing and reused.
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
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