Save Historic Landmark King Tut Drive-In - Beckley WV
The Issue
Petition to the West Virginia State Historic Preservation Office, City of Beckley, Beckley City Council and Governor of WV Jim Justice
Regarding King Tut Drive-In:
We are hopeful that as a community, through our requests to the City of Beckley and Governor Jim Justice, that a better plan can be negotiated for this iconic drive-in restaurant.
King Tut Drive-In is a historic landmark. A Beckley, West Virginia institution. Locally owned and operated for over 70 years. New owners plan to tear it down.
This would change our city and our community forever and cannot be undone if the legendary drive-in is demolished.
The leveling of the drive-in would leave a permanent wound to the heart of our city. Many Beckley residents are shocked and saddened and many WV natives that now live out of state are saddened as well.
King Tut has been a cherished hub for homemade food since its inception in the 1940s.
The drive-in has been featured throughout the years in many magazines, books and media. (Including: Garden & Gun Magazine 2020, Road Sides: An Illustrated Companion to Dining & Driving in the American South" by folklorist Emily Wallace, which features Beckley's King Tut Drive-In.)
Garden & Gun - Article from 2020
In 2004, King Tut was voted one of the “Top 55 Must See” places to visit in WV, and in 2013, WV Living voted King Tut as “The Best Drive-In in West Virginia.”
King Tut Drive-In is a Historic Landmark. It is our history. We are asking for the city to step in on this matter and preserve our history.
We understand the owners' wish to retire and are very thankful for their decades of service to our community.
The former owners, the McKay's, have stated that they were selling the original recipes along w/ the property but the new owners, are not interested in King Tut, the recipes, or our community. They want to "pave paradise" and make it a parking lot.
King Tut Drive-In is an iconic place filled w/ a lot of special memories that span generations of families. Food that isn't full of chemicals. Locally sourced meat and produce. Much loved by the entire community and visitors to our state.
There is a King Tut Drive-In Facebook Group w/ over 3,000 members. Many West Virginians who have moved to other states visit the drive-in every time they come to Beckley.
This drive-in is special. It is one of the last remaining drive-in restaurants in the country and beloved by many, in state, and out of state.
Native West Virginia actor Joe Chrest drove in from Louisiana when he heard of the potential closing of King Tut's.
"We hate to see the closing of this landmark." - Joe Chrest
King Tut Drive-In is not only a Beckley icon, but also a state icon and part of our history.
The Historical Committe wants to register King Tut as a historic landmark. They need time to do so. Even if the Drive-In closes temporarily, it needs to be put on the historical registry and preserved for the future.
Governor Jim Justice just sent a bill to the West Virginia Legislature that will officially designate the northern shore of Summersville Lake as a state park. Once the bill is passed by the Legislature and signed by Justice, new recreational opportunities at the park will be opened to the public.
We are asking that something similar be done for King Tut Drive-In.
We are hoping that an arrangement can be made for the preservation of the drive-in that is acceptable to all parties, including the community.
People need some continuity in their lives & the morale of the city is suffering. King Tut Drive-In is one of the last remaining true symbols of Americana. A Beckley WV landmark & the heart of our town.
Feeling the stages of grief over King Tut - By Michelle James (Register Herald)
"When memories are all you have" - Elizabeth Mcdowell
King Tut Drive-In has been a staple of Beckley for decades - lootpress
Historic preservation is an important part of maintaining community history by maintaining the buildings and other elements of the community that are linked to it. In simple terms, historic preservation means safeguarding the existence and appearance of historic elements of the community.
There are several ways to save a historic building from being demolished. Here are some methods:
Preservation: This involves protecting and conserving the history of the building as it has been used throughout the years.
Restoration: This is a type of preservation that focuses on returning a historic building to the way it was in a certain time period.
Mothball: This involves temporarily closing a building until funding can be secured for its restoration or reuse.
You can contact your local historical society or preservation group for more information and assistance.
You can also try to get the building listed on the National Register of Historic Places, which can provide some protection against demolition.
Comments from King Tut patrons online (via twitter/facebook):
- "Devastating! We lose another local establishment…an institution!!"
- "This place is an absolute LANDMARK, and a big part of Beckley's history, loved by so many"
- "King Tut Drive-In is officially closing this year. City of Beckley should find a way to keep it open as it's part of its history"
- "People love this place & some have traveled here from all over the US since they heard that it's closing & may be demolished"
"Sadly, King Tut drive-in, Beckley, WV, was sold and will be demolished unless the historical society or @WVGovernor intervenes. The memories of a community will be lost."
- "King Tut Drive-In is a historical landmark. New owners plan to tear it down. Something needs to be done about this. This is terrible for our community and our state"
- "that’s one of the major landmarks there. I sure hope they step in."
- "Finally made it to a #WV legend! King Tut Drive-In"
- "Great history there! Too bad it can’t go on"
- "People are desperate for that experience before it is gone."
- "Encourage these local historical treasures to be preserved"
- "This town has nothing like it once did... Can’t wait for my kids to be grown so we can all get out of this place"
- "King Tut Drive-in has been on this spot in Beckley since 1945. My parents came here on dates before they were married in 1969. It’s an institution in Beckley.
...it’s a piece of Americana that will soon be no more... After September 5th, it will be closed for good. You don’t see places like this anymore."
- "My husband and I went on our first date here and we return to King Tut to celebrate that anniversary every year"
- "King Tut drive-in... thinking the city of Beckley should consider buying it since they purchased black knight and have done good things with it, both are historic and have been here for years.
Both are profitable under proper management. what does everyone think?"
- "Such a unique place , so nostalgic , so iconic ....I will definitely miss seeing that huge 1950s era , Metal and neon crown sign hanging in the sky as much as I will miss the food and the trips back in time ……"
- "This has honestly been rough on me. I live basically behind the restaurant in bowling addition. I have ate here all of my life. I can’t imagine even driving by and not seeing it feeding our community."
- "The city of Beckley should step and buy this place, if they can buy the black knight!..."
- "Out of our immediate region, but a locally owned and operated INSTITUTION in the WV restaurant scene! Perhaps someone with some $$ & youthful energy can make a go of it!"
- "A lifetime of memories!"
- "So many memories for so many of us. So sad."
- "my first date was at King Tut’s on January 14, 1972! The place must be magical, we are still together."
- "So sad to lose an icon for Beckley"
- "It’s so sad to see an institution that holds a lifetime of memories close."
- "My husband and I had our 1st date 63 yrs ago this Nov! That night began at the sock hop in our high school gym at Sophia High School, and afterwards we drove to King Tut Drive-In! Our son has visited you often over the yrs., and now our grandson is a frequent visitor! Our 3 generations have enjoyed your wonderful food"
- "Time to move out of West Va"
- "sad that the legacy won’t be continued."
- "Beckley is losing an icon."
- "We are all saddened over this."
- "Let's save this iconic Establishment!!"
584
The Issue
Petition to the West Virginia State Historic Preservation Office, City of Beckley, Beckley City Council and Governor of WV Jim Justice
Regarding King Tut Drive-In:
We are hopeful that as a community, through our requests to the City of Beckley and Governor Jim Justice, that a better plan can be negotiated for this iconic drive-in restaurant.
King Tut Drive-In is a historic landmark. A Beckley, West Virginia institution. Locally owned and operated for over 70 years. New owners plan to tear it down.
This would change our city and our community forever and cannot be undone if the legendary drive-in is demolished.
The leveling of the drive-in would leave a permanent wound to the heart of our city. Many Beckley residents are shocked and saddened and many WV natives that now live out of state are saddened as well.
King Tut has been a cherished hub for homemade food since its inception in the 1940s.
The drive-in has been featured throughout the years in many magazines, books and media. (Including: Garden & Gun Magazine 2020, Road Sides: An Illustrated Companion to Dining & Driving in the American South" by folklorist Emily Wallace, which features Beckley's King Tut Drive-In.)
Garden & Gun - Article from 2020
In 2004, King Tut was voted one of the “Top 55 Must See” places to visit in WV, and in 2013, WV Living voted King Tut as “The Best Drive-In in West Virginia.”
King Tut Drive-In is a Historic Landmark. It is our history. We are asking for the city to step in on this matter and preserve our history.
We understand the owners' wish to retire and are very thankful for their decades of service to our community.
The former owners, the McKay's, have stated that they were selling the original recipes along w/ the property but the new owners, are not interested in King Tut, the recipes, or our community. They want to "pave paradise" and make it a parking lot.
King Tut Drive-In is an iconic place filled w/ a lot of special memories that span generations of families. Food that isn't full of chemicals. Locally sourced meat and produce. Much loved by the entire community and visitors to our state.
There is a King Tut Drive-In Facebook Group w/ over 3,000 members. Many West Virginians who have moved to other states visit the drive-in every time they come to Beckley.
This drive-in is special. It is one of the last remaining drive-in restaurants in the country and beloved by many, in state, and out of state.
Native West Virginia actor Joe Chrest drove in from Louisiana when he heard of the potential closing of King Tut's.
"We hate to see the closing of this landmark." - Joe Chrest
King Tut Drive-In is not only a Beckley icon, but also a state icon and part of our history.
The Historical Committe wants to register King Tut as a historic landmark. They need time to do so. Even if the Drive-In closes temporarily, it needs to be put on the historical registry and preserved for the future.
Governor Jim Justice just sent a bill to the West Virginia Legislature that will officially designate the northern shore of Summersville Lake as a state park. Once the bill is passed by the Legislature and signed by Justice, new recreational opportunities at the park will be opened to the public.
We are asking that something similar be done for King Tut Drive-In.
We are hoping that an arrangement can be made for the preservation of the drive-in that is acceptable to all parties, including the community.
People need some continuity in their lives & the morale of the city is suffering. King Tut Drive-In is one of the last remaining true symbols of Americana. A Beckley WV landmark & the heart of our town.
Feeling the stages of grief over King Tut - By Michelle James (Register Herald)
"When memories are all you have" - Elizabeth Mcdowell
King Tut Drive-In has been a staple of Beckley for decades - lootpress
Historic preservation is an important part of maintaining community history by maintaining the buildings and other elements of the community that are linked to it. In simple terms, historic preservation means safeguarding the existence and appearance of historic elements of the community.
There are several ways to save a historic building from being demolished. Here are some methods:
Preservation: This involves protecting and conserving the history of the building as it has been used throughout the years.
Restoration: This is a type of preservation that focuses on returning a historic building to the way it was in a certain time period.
Mothball: This involves temporarily closing a building until funding can be secured for its restoration or reuse.
You can contact your local historical society or preservation group for more information and assistance.
You can also try to get the building listed on the National Register of Historic Places, which can provide some protection against demolition.
Comments from King Tut patrons online (via twitter/facebook):
- "Devastating! We lose another local establishment…an institution!!"
- "This place is an absolute LANDMARK, and a big part of Beckley's history, loved by so many"
- "King Tut Drive-In is officially closing this year. City of Beckley should find a way to keep it open as it's part of its history"
- "People love this place & some have traveled here from all over the US since they heard that it's closing & may be demolished"
"Sadly, King Tut drive-in, Beckley, WV, was sold and will be demolished unless the historical society or @WVGovernor intervenes. The memories of a community will be lost."
- "King Tut Drive-In is a historical landmark. New owners plan to tear it down. Something needs to be done about this. This is terrible for our community and our state"
- "that’s one of the major landmarks there. I sure hope they step in."
- "Finally made it to a #WV legend! King Tut Drive-In"
- "Great history there! Too bad it can’t go on"
- "People are desperate for that experience before it is gone."
- "Encourage these local historical treasures to be preserved"
- "This town has nothing like it once did... Can’t wait for my kids to be grown so we can all get out of this place"
- "King Tut Drive-in has been on this spot in Beckley since 1945. My parents came here on dates before they were married in 1969. It’s an institution in Beckley.
...it’s a piece of Americana that will soon be no more... After September 5th, it will be closed for good. You don’t see places like this anymore."
- "My husband and I went on our first date here and we return to King Tut to celebrate that anniversary every year"
- "King Tut drive-in... thinking the city of Beckley should consider buying it since they purchased black knight and have done good things with it, both are historic and have been here for years.
Both are profitable under proper management. what does everyone think?"
- "Such a unique place , so nostalgic , so iconic ....I will definitely miss seeing that huge 1950s era , Metal and neon crown sign hanging in the sky as much as I will miss the food and the trips back in time ……"
- "This has honestly been rough on me. I live basically behind the restaurant in bowling addition. I have ate here all of my life. I can’t imagine even driving by and not seeing it feeding our community."
- "The city of Beckley should step and buy this place, if they can buy the black knight!..."
- "Out of our immediate region, but a locally owned and operated INSTITUTION in the WV restaurant scene! Perhaps someone with some $$ & youthful energy can make a go of it!"
- "A lifetime of memories!"
- "So many memories for so many of us. So sad."
- "my first date was at King Tut’s on January 14, 1972! The place must be magical, we are still together."
- "So sad to lose an icon for Beckley"
- "It’s so sad to see an institution that holds a lifetime of memories close."
- "My husband and I had our 1st date 63 yrs ago this Nov! That night began at the sock hop in our high school gym at Sophia High School, and afterwards we drove to King Tut Drive-In! Our son has visited you often over the yrs., and now our grandson is a frequent visitor! Our 3 generations have enjoyed your wonderful food"
- "Time to move out of West Va"
- "sad that the legacy won’t be continued."
- "Beckley is losing an icon."
- "We are all saddened over this."
- "Let's save this iconic Establishment!!"
Petition Updates
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Petition created on August 12, 2023