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by MARNI MELLEN Courier writer FAIRFIELD — A section of the Bates Motel which was not destroyed in a serious fire here last week will be reopened for business in about two weeks, the owner said today. C.J. Bates, who has operated the motel since 1962, said 10 units will be opened after the area is cleared of debris and smoke. A decision to rebuild the destroyed units is awaiting completion of the insurance investigation. The main section of the motel, with 13 units, office and owner's apartment, was destroyed by an early morning blaze Feb. 2. The fire was caused by failure in the electrical system in one of the units, the state fire marshal’s office determined this week. Reopening the motel will maintain a long-time tradition in Fairfield begun by Bates’ father, who had his original hostelry here at Chautauqua Park when the park was a focal point for area en tertainment. The Bates tourist cabins of that period were said to be among the first west of the Mississippi. The elder Bates moved to Ottumwa to operate a Bates Motel there on old U.S. 34 until the early 1950s, when he returned to Fairfield and built the new motel at the city’s west edge on U.S. 34. A garage, laundry and eight guest units were added later. The fire destroyed the original section. According to the Bates family, film director Alfred Hitchcock was once a motel guest here. They think it more than coincidence that the Hitchcock film ‘“‘Psycho,”” was set in a town called Fairview, had a Bates Motel in the story line and featured a character named “Lila.” O.J. Bates’ mother and daughter were both named Lila. Mr. and Mrs. Bates are staying temporarily in the motel section that was un damaged by fire. An early estimate set fire loss between $200,000 and $250,000. The blaze is believed to have broken out in the second unit from the east end of the sec tion. Flames in an unob structed attic area between ceiling and roof quickly spread the length of the structure. Bates, whose apartment was at the west end, was awakened by a motel guest and alerted the other 19 guests in the oc cupied rooms. All were evacuated without incident.
Newspaper Details
Ottumwa Courier
Ottumwa, Iowa, US
Thu, Feb 08, 1979
Page 16
Full Page
Clipped by
Jason S.
USA 09 Jun 2026
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