A mile in her shoes: Martha Kent Booth's love story from the streets

BY BRANDEI CLIFTON, Silver Dollar City

Martha Kent Booth knows just about every square inch of The City streets. She’s strolled them—and swept them— for 29 years. Martha carries the past with her more than 10 miles each day in the quiet rhythm of her steps.

With each shuffle of her shoes, she passes places that tell the stories of her heart—of love, commitment and the passage of time. “I’m the only one who can say I fell in love twice with City boys and had two Silver Dollar City weddings,” she smiles. “I was a lucky lady to have two great loves of my life.”

Shortly after moving from Coffeyville, Kansas, in the early ‘90s, a handsome stranger from Silver Dollar City stopped by to meet his new neighbor.

“Up walks this tall guy in a black hat, black beard and black jeans,” she beams. “I introduced myself and that was that.”

It wasn’t long before the new neighbors became friends and later began a romance that would stand the test of time. Paul Kent, a fixture at Silver Dollar City since 1983, was no stranger to adventure. He worked at the Tin Type shop, and later, as an engineer, conductor and even a robber on the famous Frisco Steam Train. It’s no surprise the two lovebirds decided to tie the knot on that very train in 1994, just two years after they met.

But their journey together didn’t stop there. In 1996, Martha became a Silver Dollar City Citizen herself, taking on the role of an Area Host. “Back then, we just called ourselves street sweepers,” she says with a laugh. “But it was a magical place, and I loved working alongside Paul every day. It meant the world to us.”

Then, in 2001, an unexpected chapter of their love story was written. Paul was diagnosed with a blood disorder, and Martha became his steadfast companion through the struggle. When he passed away in January 2007, the park—and Martha’s heart—felt the weight of his absence. But even now, she carries Paul’s memory with every step on the streets.

Martha’s City friends and family helped her heart heal as the days went by. Little did she know that a decade later, another chapter in her love story was taking shape.

“Wayne Booth was a friend who worked at the toy shop,” she smiles. “We fell in love and looked forward to a life together.” In another unfair twist of fate, though, Wayne also became ill. The couple found out in September 2021 that Wayne had a cancerous brain tumor.

“The next month, I asked him to marry me,” she says with a pause. “I wanted him to know how much I loved him no matter how much time he had left.”

Martha quickly pulled together a Silver Dollar City wedding with the help of master potter Jeff Walker and candy queen June Ward.

“They were both my witnesses,” Martha smiles. “On Dec. 1, 2021, we got married in the basement of Brown’s Candy Factory. And it was the sweetest day.”

Wayne lost his battle just six days later. Martha recalls the outpouring of love she received from The City’s guests and staff following the loss.

“President Brad Thomas called me on the phone and talked for 30 minutes to make sure I was okay. It’s easy to work hard for a company that cares so much. Without the people here, we’d just have buildings. It’s our people who make this park what it is.”

Martha just wrapped up her 29th season at Silver Dollar City and continues to hold tight to the connections she’s made with visitors and staff.

“It feels so good when guests come looking for me. I feed off their energy. This entire park is my office and I love being out here shoulder-to-shoulder with people. I think of my two sweethearts as I move along with my broom and dustpan. I’ll stop by the Train Depot and say, ‘Hi Paul’ then pass by the toy shop and say, ‘Hi Wayne.’ I can feel the people I love all around me here. In the breeze of the trees and the sound of laughter, they are right here with me.”