Billy Carter's Old Gas Station: A National Monument?

LATimes ^ | November 14th, 2009

[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.

[Pan_Yan]

I have a friend that came here from Kenya. He was a wealthy business owner who ran factories and lived in a walled compound with servants and chauffeurs. He moved his family here and lives a middle class life, working hard to put his sons through college.

Kenya is not a safe place to live. He spent most everything he had to bring all his extended family here.

[2harddrive]

Cool! Hi-tech beer!