Memories of the grand Alvarado

Seeing the Burger King building being taken down on Broadway made me remember what was there originally. Sixty years ago it was a beautiful Spanish-architecture building named the Alvarado consisting of a filling station and restaurant. The restaurant was a great place to eat and also was popular for banquets and rehearsal dinners. I attended a rehearsal dinner there in the 1950s for my brother's wedding, and it was so elegant.

The Alvarado was owned by the Kelso family. It was also used as a Greyhound bus stop.

The building was doomed when it sold in the 1960s and became a motorcycle store. The beautiful building's brick exterior was painted white. The motorcycle shop didn't stay there long.

As I remember, the building was then sold to the Drurys and torn down. Then came Burger King.

I'm sure the only people in Cape Girardeau who remember the grand Alvarado have to be my age or older.

Once a building is torn down, it's hard to remember what was there originally. I have lived in Cape Girardeau all my life and have a lot of great memories of buildings and homes that are gone.

I particularly didn't like, years ago, when the First National Bank building on Main Street was torn down. It was a great-looking building. If still there, it would have added to the Main Street history.

Incidentally, my husband and I are regular patrons of Burger King.

MAXINE BUSCH BAREN, Cape Girardeau