How a Model of the Strater Hotel

Will Benefit the Community of Durango

And the State of Colorado

(Why the Strater hotel’s manager, my Scoutmaster and the Pikes Peak District approved my project.)

1. When the Strater Hotel has finished exhibiting my model, it will be displayed in the Powerhouse Science (“Discovery”) Center, a local museum which will build interest in the museum, the hotel and the community of Durango.

2. One of the great State of Colorado’s major industries is tourism. The Strater Hotel is in Durango, Colorado, which, like Colorado Springs, is a tourist town. My model will attract people to visit the city and surrounding area, benefiting the tourism industry.

3. My model would increase interest for those who like history to tour Durango and our great state:

a. The Strater Hotel is a historical landmark and my model would benefit the community by educating them about the history of Colorado and specifically Durango;

b. Durango was one of JFK’s campaign stops in 1960 when he ran for president and he used the ballroom at the Strater Hotel;

c. People who are interested in the Prohibition Era can see hiding places for alcohol built into the hotel!

d. A suite in the Strater is named for Louis L’amour because that’s where he wrote several of his famous westerns. My model will educate and encourage fans of Mr. L’Amour’s books to visit.

4. My model would create interest in Durango for movie buffs:

a. Many movies have been filmed in the southwestern corner of Colorado; most recently The Connecticut Kid. By seeing my model, fans of Butch Cassidy and the Sundance Kid will want to see where the actors stayed … at the Strater Hotel!

b. If Hollywood were to hear about my model, they might be encouraged to film more movies in Durango which would bring a lot of revenue to the community and state.

5. The Strater is the only historical hotel in the US which is certified green. This will benefit the community by bringing attention to its ecologically beneficial features and encouraging other historical sites to follow its lead.

6. Other Boy Scout Eagle projects that have benefited historical sites:

a. Sculpture for historic theater - http://www.prweb.com/releases/2011/10/prweb8885050.htm

7. Other Boy Scouts in the US have completed model projects for their Eagle projects:

a. Solar System Model - http://danbrumleve.com/Eagle_2011/Home.html

b. Labyrinth - http://www.naplesnews.com/lifestyle/neapolitan/building-labyrinth-eagle-scout-project

8. Now, I could have built a trail or cleaned up a park for my Eagle project, but as beneficial as those are, they would someday fall into disrepair…but my model will look as good in one hundred years as it does this year!

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