Big Timbers History Corner #18 – Alamo Lights

If you look up as you go in the front door of Big Timbers Museum, you will see these two lovely vintage light fixtures. Back in the day, they were part of the elegant new Alamo Hotel (built in 1937). Times and needs changed, and in the 1980s a local group bought the old hotel and turned it into apartments. During the renovation, Kathleen Scranton saved these fixtures. Years later, when she was asked to be the curator for Big Timbers Museum, she realized this would be the perfect place to display these historic lights. As with many of the museum’s other artifacts, they are classed as ‘on loan’.

The Alamo is still standing, and doing better than ever. In 2008, Lamar Housing Authority had to close it down for lack of funding. But only two years later, it was purchased by Farah Beheshti’s family corporation and renovated yet again. Today it is home for a number of professionals who work at LCC or PMC.

Speaking of changing times, Big Timbers Museum is now on winter hours, so keep that in mind when you plan your visit. Admission is only $3 for individuals, or $2 each for groups of 10 or more. $5 lets you bring the whole family for a fun learning experience that also helps preserve our Prowers County heritage for future generations. An even better deal is a membership, $10 for an individual and $15 for a family. Open 1 pm to 4 pm Tues-Sat. Call 336-2472 for more details.

Big Timbers History Corner is brought to you by Susan Crites