About That Flying Fortress Atop the Oregon Gas Station-- Part 3: A $10 Fine and Not There Any More (Being Restored)

He promisd the truck drivers that he would pay any ticket fines they received during the trip.  When the local authorities learned about what Art Lacey was up to, they fined him $10.

Calling the plane "The Lacey Lady" he placed it over his gas pumps as a canopy where it became an instant hit with locals and travelers alike.

By 2000, the weather and elements had taken its toll and the "Lacey Lady."  It was falling apart and a favored nesting area for birds.  After Mr. Lacey's death in 2000, his family created the non-profit B-17 Alliance Foundation several years later to preserve the aircraft.

Today, the Lacey Lady can be seen at the B-17 Alliance Foundation Museum & Restoration hangar at Salem Municipal Airport in Oregon.

Sure beats the blah canopies over gas stations these days.

I love it when business owners do something like Mr. Lacey.  It fits right in with the Route 66 push to attract customers with something, the more oddball, the better.  I'd sure stop there to fill up.

Thanks Art Lacey.  --GreGen