Long ago on independence square (Lee's Summit, Lexington: coupons, bills, engineer)

[WCHS'59]

Originally Posted by SilverDoc

Back when I still worked at Hemco, (again, in the early 70's) there were a few old Rolls, and I think an old Ford nose or two for the old VWs still laying around. I don't remember us making them at the time, though. We were making mainly Kenworth fenders, cabs, instrument housings, and other assorted bits and pieces.

The Ford nose was probably modeled on the 1937 Ford, which I have seen as another popular hood accessory for the Bug. I recall an article in The Examiner way back when about the Rolls hood but I don't think there was a mention of Ford in that article.

[SilverDoc]

Originally Posted by WCHS'59

Someone in that area of Truman Road, a new partnership I believe, in the 1960s manufactured an alternate front hood treatment and rear "trunk" for a Volkswagen bug.

Both the front and backs were based on the Rolls Royce design. Here is a photo of a bug with the front end, although I think there were other companies across the US involved with their manufacture as well.

Here's a photo of the 30's Ford front end on a VW:

[WCHS'59]

Originally Posted by SilverDoc

I have photos from two or three years ago, that shows the lot empty, but I did notice lately, a few buses lurking around there. (If I can figure out how to resize my photos, I'll post them.)

I think those buses belong to the Apple Bus Company.

[WCHS'59]

Originally Posted by SilverDoc

Here's a photo of the 30's Ford front end on a VW:

Both the Ford and Rolls hoods for the Bug were made of fiberglass, I do believe.

[SilverDoc]

Originally Posted by WCHS'59

I think those buses belong to the Apple Bus Company.

Yep! Apple Bus Company 2341 S Woodland Ave, Independence, MO 64050 (Where Pace used to be)

"Apple Bus is a Kansas City area based transportation company with operations in four states"

[SilverDoc]

Originally Posted by WCHS'59

Both the Ford and Rolls hoods for the Bug were made of fiberglass, I do believe.

The ones made at Hemco, were. Hemco specialized (and may still today) in fiberglass products. Boy, did I have to scratch a lot when I worked there!

[WCHS'59]

Originally Posted by SilverDoc

East Truman Road?

SilverDoc, you could be right. Perhaps just a little way east from where Lee's Summit Road crosses Truman.

[WCHS'59]

Anyone remember Home Comfort Products (I think that was the name) that manufactured mattresses at Lexington and Dodgion Street? They were in business for quite a while. Their mattresses seemed to be available in all the furniture stores in Independence but they shipped out by rail also.

On my last trip to Independence I heard a train coming near the Walnut Street and Crane branch line crossing. I love watching trains at crossings--or anywhere else for that matter. I could not get to the crossing from the location I was at in time to see the train pass so I speeded up and drove towards town. I parked at the old mattress manufacturing building to watch the train cross Dodgion.

The speed limit must be 5 mph on that branch as it seemed like forever before the train arrived at the Dodgion crossing. Dodgion is only five or six blocks from Walnut and Crane.

There were two engines pulling three box cars. First time I have seen box cars on that branch line in a long time, but then I have not been around much in the last fifty years. Two of the box cars were labeled "US Army." I assumed that the Army was storing something out there at the underground storage and was pulling the stuff out for whatever reason. Two engines, though, for three box cars. Could not believe it.

[SilverDoc]

Originally Posted by WCHS'59

Anyone remember Home Comfort Products (I think that was the name) that manufactured mattresses at Lexington and Dodgion Street? They were in business for quite a while. Their mattresses seemed to be available in all the furniture stores in Independence but they shipped out by rail also.

On my last trip to Independence I heard a train coming near the Walnut Street and Crane branch line crossing. I love watching trains at crossings--or anywhere else for that matter. I could not get to the crossing from the location I was at in time to see the train pass so I speeded up and drove towards town. I parked at the old mattress manufacturing building to watch the train cross Dodgion.

The speed limit must be 5 mph on that branch as it seemed like forever before the train arrived at the Dodgion crossing. Dodgion is only five or six blocks from Walnut and Crane.

There were two engines pulling three box cars. First time I have seen box cars on that branch line in a long time, but then I have not been around much in the last fifty years. Two of the box cars were labeled "US Army." I assumed that the Army was storing something out there at the underground storage and was pulling the stuff out for whatever reason. Two engines, though, for three box cars. Could not believe it.

Could be that they were just moving an extra engine to use in the underground storage area.

[WCHS'59]

The Examiner is mentioning this morning of a new bed and breakfast opening up in 2013 at the historic Stone/Gamble house at 1114 S Noland. The effort is being called the Silver Heart Inn. The house was apparently built in 1852.

Additionally, memberships may be purchased at $1,000 each for an eight night stay at the "beach house" in the rear.

I had never heard of this mansion before but it looks rather historic after seeing a limited front view on Google Maps.

I looked up "Stone" and "Gamble" in Independence & 20th Century Pioneers by Pearl Wilcox and could not find any information.

The Silver Heart Inn also has a website with a news video showing some of the grounds.