Florida couple new owners as of Jan 1st, 2010
By Jarod Wells
Tuesday, November 03, 2009 at 6:14 p.m.
Read more: Local
(Hannibal, Mo.) One of Hannibal's historic attractions has a new owner.
A bankruptcy judge has approved the $710,000 bid for Rockcliffe Mansion.
The Hannibal Courier-Post reports the bid from James and Robin Gillette of Fountain, Florida, was approved Monday, November 2nd.
We spoke with Beau Hicks with the Hannibal Convention and Visitors Bureau.
He says the Gillettes have a history of renovating historic properties and have said they will put as much into the property as they pay for it.
The Gillettes have not stated specific plans for Rockcliffe Mansion, so we asked Hicks what he has heard.
"Pretty sure they're planning to live in Rockcliffe. Now will they leave the first and second floors open for the general public to tour remains to be seen. But they have said that they'll protect the integrity of Rockcliffe," said Hicks.
The couple currently leasing the property will continue to lease it until January 1st.
The Gillettes also have expressed interest in buying the closed Hannibal amusement park Sawyer's Creek.
Hicks says he isn't sure if they will wait until the auction on December 1st, or if they'll try to buy it before that date.
