Posted on 11/14/2009 3:28:31 PM PST by Steelfish
Billy Carter's Old Gas Station: A National Monument?
Legislation calls for the National Park Service to take over the storied building, making it part of the Jimmy Carter Historic Site. Some say that's not the best use of taxpayer money right now.
Billy Carter's gas station would become part of a proposed Jimmy Carter National HIstorical Park under legislation before Congress. (Mark Davis)
By Richard Fausset November 15, 2009
In the age of the $787-billion stimulus package, it is, perhaps, a modest question:
Should the American taxpayer foot the bill to enshrine the gas station run by the late Billy Carter -- the beer-swilling, wisecracking, self-professed redneck brother of our 39th president?
Located in the middle of tiny Plains -- still the world's most famous peanut town some 28 years after the Carter presidency -- the station was transformed into a museum last year by a local civic group that owns the property.
Most locals agree it has been rendered cleaner and more pleasant than it was under Billy's proprietorship, when it served as an improvised beer joint, gambling hall and grease-stained agora for homespun philosophizing.
Its claim to historical significance came during Jimmy Carter's 1976 presidential run, when reporters mobbed Plains and transformed the station into a sort of unofficial headquarters.
(Excerpt) Read more at latimes.com ...
what a dump.. it needs to be bulldozed
They both are and crazy to boot.
I’d love to have that canopy but I don’t think it could handle the snow load.
Jimma Carter .... the national hemmoroid ... will probably be awarded the 17 million dollar contract to refurbish the ‘historic’ site. Congress .... I love you, man.
Seventeen million bucks??
Let it rot.
Sounds like a good idea to me. They could sell Billy Beer and gasoline at 1976 prices. Of course, gas rationing would be in effect, so you would only be able to buy 3 gallons. I bet they would get more visitors than Jimmy’s Presidential Library.
They should also name a destroyer after Billy.
who will pay to clean up the underground fuel tanks?????? Will Billy get a tax deduction out of this????
Can't a half-brother get any love?
I’m saving my can of Billy Beer until brother Jimmy passes on. I’ll drink the beer to toast Billy and about an hour later I’ll...oh well you can fill in the rest.
It doesn’t look that old to me. Looks like early sixties vintage buildings, with seventies vintage pumps.
Agree. Nice pic post- Thanks
Does it include the corner he pi**ed in when he was to drunk to walk.
I can see it being made into a public Restroom facility with the urinals in their likeness!
Heck, why not? He was the more sensible of the brothers.
What troubles me about that picture is, what are the security issues? The visible wealth is tied up in that wall and that fence.
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