• Richard C. Briggs – Started July, 1932 in Washington, DC, transferred almost immediately to Baltimore No. 2
• Joseph Clark – Started Dec. 26, 1936
• Paul F. Erler (b. 1902) – Started May, 1935 – worked at the “Little Tavern Tap Room” aka the “Baltimore Grill”, a bar opened by Little Tavern in Baltimore shortly after the repeal of prohibition.
• Harold E. Fosnot (b. 1911) – Started June, 1932 – Started in Washington, transferred almost immediately to Baltimore.
• Victor M. Gatewood – Started 1936.
• Earl M. Hurdle (d. 2009) – Started December 1935. Went on to become District Manager of High’s Stores in Baltimore, MD
• John J. Hyman – Started November 1936
• Gilbert Johnson – Started 1932/1933
• James W. Jones – Started April 1935. Worked at No. 7
• John R. Jordan, Jr. – Started October 1936
• Harmon Joyner – Started April 1936
• Grover Cleveland Kelbaugh, Jr. (d. 2004)– bartender at “Baltimore Grill”/ “Little Tavern Tap Room”
• Charles McGinnis- Started August 1936
• “Red” James J. Maloney – Started 1930
• Donald F. Marsee (d.1946) – Started August 1935 in Washington, transferred to Baltimore
• Frank S. Miller, Jr. – Started 1936, worked at No. 7
• Joseph H. Miller – Started 1936
• Olan E. Morgan – Started August 1935 – Worked at No. 5
• “Buck” Henry D. Oliver – Started 1929/1930
• Homer T. Pettit – Started Dec. 1931 in Washington.  Left in 1934 to marry Thelma R Schultz, came back and started working in Baltimore
• Joseph J. Ritter (b. 1906, d. 1990) – Started September 1934 – Worked at No. 5
• E. Wallace Rogers – Started January 1934 in Washington, transferred to Baltimore.  Worked at No. 5
• H. Arthur Shearer – Started October, 1936
• Ben J. Staib (d. 2005) – Started 1936
• Allen R. Walters (b. 1905, d. 1990) – Started 1933
• James F. Woodall- Started Dec. 1936, transferred to Baltimore to work at Little Tavern Tap Room/ Baltimore Grill

• Catherine Airey – Started July 10, 1934 – Baltimore Grill
• Virginia Blackburn (b. 1912, d. 1947) – Started February 1935 – Baltimore Grill
• Catherine M. Griffith – Started September, 1936
• Alma Haslup (b. 1903) – Started December, 1936 – Baltimore Grill
• Carolyn Williams – Started January, 1934 – Baltimore Grill

• William E. Gittings – Started February, 1935 – Cleaning, Maintenance
• Hubert Hoskins – Baltimore Manager – Started April 8, 1928 in Louisville, KY. Transferred to Washington in late 1928 to open Washington No. 1,  transferred to Baltimore in 1932.

Little Tavern employees as of the end of 1936. If anyone has info on any of these people, please, leave a comment.

• Marvin D. Arion (b. 1914, d. 2005) – Started 1935 – Little Tavern No. 13
• Robert H. Bowler (b. 1912, Kentucky) – Started in July 1933. Originally worked in Louisville, KY, transferred to Washington.
• “Tommy” – Thomas H. Bowler (b. 1914, Kentucky) – Younger brother of Robert H. Bowler – Started March 1934, left Dec. 1935, started again in 1936. Worked at Washington No. 9
• Lester G. Burke (b. 1912, Washington DC) – Started in 1935 in Washington, transferred to Baltimore, then back to Washington.
• “Eddie” – James B. Canter – Started Nov. 1936
• John W. Carr (b. 1904, Illinois) – Started May 1930
• Stanley F. Carver (b. 1908) – Started September 1929 in Louisville, KY. Transferred to Washington No. 4 until Washington no. 14 opened.
• Eugene M. Chambers – Started November 1935.
• Carroll Clowser (b. 1910, West Virginia) – Started Dec. 1936 at No. 2
• William B. Daniel, Jr. (b. 1903, Washington DC) – Started 1935 at No. 6
• Harold W. Dickinson (B. 1914, VA) – started July 1935. Worked at No. 3 and No. 4
• James M. Dickinson (B. 1904, VA) – Older brother of Harold W. Dickinson – Started 1932 – Worked at no. 5
• Eugene S. Dumas (B. 1914, NC) – Started late 1935/early 1936 – Worked at No. 11
• Marvin L. Duncan (b. 1896, VA) – started one day after Eugene Dumas.
• H. Ferrell Eastwood – Started April 1936. Worked at no. 7
• O. Dean Ellis – Started April 1935 – Worked at No. 6 and No. 3
• Albert W. Gable (b.1905, d. 1991) – Started Dec. 8, 1936
• Carl J. Garrison – Started June, 1935 at no. 10 and no. 17
• Donald O. Goins – Started 1936
• George Hemby – Started April, 1934
• Thomas Howard – Started July, 1936, married shortly after
• Louie F. League (b.1914, d.1955) – Started late 1935/ early 1936
• Herman M. Literal (b. c.1914, d. 1986) – Moved from Louisville, KY (where he discovered LT) to Washington to start in 1935 at No. 3.
• Dave McCarty- Started Sept. 27, 1929. Worked at No. 4
• Kenneth McDaniels – Started Sept. 1933
• Charles A. McDaniel – Started Sept. 1936 at No. 7
• “Chick” Calvin S. Moore – Started October 1933. Formerly an usher at the Tivoli Theatre. Worked at No. 12.
• “Artie” Arthur J. Moreland – Started 1935/1936
• W. Marvin Moreland – older brother of Arthur Moreland – Started late 1936
• “Flip” J. Prosper Nimro (b. 1903, d. 1971) – Started 1931
• Roland B. Owens – Started November 1936
• “Motorcycle Pete” – Charles J. Patterson – Started June 1932
• Anthony J. Phillips – Started December 1936
• George H. Rice, Jr. – Started June 1934
• Linster G. Riggs – started August 1935
• Fred E. Roberts – Started October 1935
• “Bill” William O. Roberts – Older brother of Fred Roberts – Started July 1932 in Washington, then Baltimore, then back to Washington
• Noland D. Robinson – Started December 1936
• Raymond Robinson – Started August 1936
• David H. Sellers – Started April 1936
• Carl R. Schaffer – Started 1935. Worked at No. 10.
• Edward E. Smith – Started 1935. Worked at No. 16
• “Red” Edwin M. Sowder (b. 1908) – Started June 1935. Went on to careers in baseball and trick-horse riding. Arrested for the murder of his wife, Dorothy Sowder, a former Miss Washington competitor, in 1951
• “Bill” William H. Stallings, Jr. – Started 1934/1935
• Felton Crawley Summerlin (b. 1915, d. 1970) – Started October 1936
• Hoke Summerlin (b. 1921, d. 1987) – Started April, 1936. Worked at No. 2
• “Bob” Robert H. Summerlin (b. 1908, d. 1978) – Started June 1936
• “Si” Simon F. Summerlin – Started April 1, 1936. Worked at No. 4
• Leonard Swinburn (b. 1914, d. 1978) – Started April 1935 as a janitor at head office, later floated shop to shop during busy periods
• “Louie” Louis B. Thompson – Started 1936. Robbed at gunpoint at No. 5
• “Bill” William W. Tillett – Started Dec. 1936
• Albert S. Trueblood (b. 1916, d. 2003) – Started Jan. 1935
• “Cal” J. Calvin Trueblood – Started Dec. 1932
• Ernest D. Tyndall (b.1913, d.?) – Started Dec. 29, 1936 – Worked at No. 9. Served 6 months in 1976 for public drunkenness.
• “Davey” C. Davis Welsh – Started June, 1934
• “Jake ” Jesse A. Wilson – Started 1936 – worked at No. 12
• “Red” Alfred C. Zimmerman (b. 1905, d. 2003) – Started October 1932 – Worked at No.

• David R. Gossett – Started October 1930 in Louisville, KY. Moved to Washington, taking the position of delivery driver, delivering all warehouse goods and fresh baked pies, in addition to manning the counter when need be.
• John R. Fletcher – Started on payroll May 1933, but had been working on and off as a contractor before then – Handyman for chain- did all painting, maintenance and repair work.
• Henry L. Downs – In charge of cleaning the exteriors of all Washington locations.
• A. Camille Bryson – Started April 1936
• Anna S. McGrogan – Started 1933 – Worked at No. 9
• Evelyn Weaver – Started Dec. 1936
• Joseph R. Maxwell – In charge of coffee purchasing, roasting, blending, packaging and delivery
• A. C. “Scotty” Stark – Washington Manager. Started August 1929. Became area manager in 1933

Row 1
Harry F. Duncan (b.1899, d. 1992) – Founder and president of Little Tavern.

“Jake” – Paul H. Hoddinott (b.1909, d. 2002) – started April 6, 1931 – formerly with the Washington Gas Light Co. At Little Tavern, organized baseball and basketball teams, editor for “Urn and Griddle” Magazine (anyone out there have a copy of one?) Accountant for Little Tavern Shops, Inc.

“Bob Mc” – Robert F. McFadden (b.1907, d.1990) – started July 1, 1927. Went on to become president of Little Tavern. Cousin of Harry Duncan. Full post/obituary here.

Row 2
“Pat” – Patricia Mancuso- Started c. 1933 – private secretary to Harry F. Duncan

Helen Pruitt – Started 1935/1936. In charge of twice- monthly reports.

Row 3
Vivian M. Chapman (b.1918, d. 1995) – Started 1935. Graded performance of individual locations, in charge of food bills, typist.

Loretta Lee – Started 1936.

“Kitty” – Katheryn J. Smyser – started April 21, 1930 – in charge of payroll

The Little Tavern chain was started in 1927 by Harry F. Duncan. Five locations were built in Louisville, Kentucky before the chain expanded to Washington and Baltimore. It would seem that after the 1930s, the chain focused the majority of its attention on expansion and development of its east coast locations, and the Louisville locations were sold.

If anyone has more information on these Kentucky locations, or on any of these employees, please, leave a comment, I’d love to hear from you.

This was the Louisville Little Tavern employee list as of late 1936.
For Louisville locations, see here.

Row 1
Merlin G. Bauer (b. 9/22/1905, d. 2/17/2000) – Louisville manager, started March 1928. Moved to Washington to open first location, returning to KY. Later worked for 30 years for Tommy Borders Wholesale Meats.
Max Beale – started 1936
Marshall DeVore – started 1933 or 1934. Managed the Laurel, MD location starting 1939. Married to Catherine DeVore (springgate)

Row 2
Elbert Downey (b. 10/8/1903, d. 2/3/1942) – started 1933
Cellan Gotte – started 1936
Harold W. Headrick (b. 7/15/1912, d. 10/12/1988) – started May 1935

Row 3
Leonard Higdon (b. 12/27/1907 d.?) – started 1930. Later owner of “Little Castle” chain in Louisville
L. Hugh Jones – started May 1930
Thomas Lanham

Row 4
Jeff O. Lewis – started April 18, 1928
J. T. Lewis –
Clarence Lloyd (b. 12/21/1903 d.7/1/1975) – painting, repair, counterman. 1928 to 1932, 1936-

Row 5
Howard Yates – started 1935
Merlin G. Bauer – see above

Other Little Tavern employees from Louisville I have found named
L.H. Jones- robbed in 1933 and 1936 at location no. 2
Louis Hayden – robbed in 1942 no. 3
E.B. Downing – robbed in 1935 at no. 3
John W. Osborn (Osbourne?) – robbed in 1934 at no. 1
Henry Lake – robbed in 1933 at no. 5
Joseph Billingham – robbed in 1939 at no. 3
Clarence Lloyd – robbed in 1934 at no. 5
Herman A. Parris – robbed in 1931 at no. 4
Carl C. Taylor – robbed in 1929 at no. 1, in 1932 at no. 3, in 1934 at no. no. 2
George Gash – robbed in 1934 at no. 2
R.C. Clements – robbed in 1930 at no. 5
Clifford Whilener – sent drunk customer to hospital in 1933 at no. 5
Elbert B. Downey – robbed in 1934 at no. 2
Leonard Higdon- robbed in 1932 at no. 2

This sign sold on ebay last year. I just noticed it in an early ’60s photo from my collection.

The Lawrence Welk Diner opened in August, 1951, at 31 First St. SW. It was built by Valentine Diners out of Kansas, and was custom painted to look like an accordion. There were grand plans of a chain of ten of these set to open in Iowa, but this was the only location that ever actually opened. It had eight stools and seating for another 28 at tables. It was steel clad and had a stainless steel and formica interior. It was operated by “Curley” and Helen Paquette. Welk was never directly involved in the running of the diner, but he provided the capital and the branding for the diner. By the end of 1953, the diner was up for sale.

It operated from 1954 through 1960 as Leona’s Diner. In 1960, it became Paul’s Diner, operated by Paul and Carol Lynk and Donna Casebolt. By the end of 1961, it was up for sale again, with the ad saying it was to be moved. It appears that it did not move at this time, and by 1962, it had reopened as, “The Diner”, operated by Ann Mason and Gertrude Oeltjenbruns. After a stint operating as “The Diner”, I can’t find more records of it, at least not at this site.
Does anyone know if it moved? Changed names? Was torn down?

Please welcome the first installment of a new segment by Mike Engle!

Gordon Tindall’s Spud Boy Lunch

Wellington, Ohio 1927-2002
Storage in Gilbertsville, NY & Towanda, PA
Reopens in Lanesboro, MN May, 2012!

The Goodell diner was brought to Wellington, Ohio in the summer of 1927 by the Wellington Oil Company. One local resident believes that the diner was a used diner.

Frank Andrews was the first proprietor. Around 1929 the diner was owned by Van & Bessie Barbor. Sometime by the 1960s, Carl Ensign had control of the diner. Carl first worked at the diner as a night man in the late 1920s. By this time, the diner moved about 40 or 50 feet away from the gas station.

In later years, the diner would operate under the names Helen’s Diner, Village Diner and finally Cecil’s Trackside Diner. The diner was very pristine until the 1990s when the windows were unfortunately psysically cut out of the diner, and larger windows were added in their place. The exterior of the diner was also covered with vinyl siding and a roof was added above the diner, which, in a way, saved the roof from the elements. Unfortunately the edges of the original roof was sawed off. While this did not matter while the new roof was covering the diner, when the diner was brought to New York, the roof and the interior had become open to the elements.

By 2001, the diner became endangered. The owners of the structure wanted to demolish the diner to build a new building. Since no one wanted the diner in Wellington, I, Michael Engle paid to have the diner hauled to Gilbertsville, NY. Daniel Zilka and Toni Zeller came out from Rhode Island to help me detach the diner from the back building, without accepting any payment. Without them, the diner would not have been saved, as I did not have the ability to save the diner myself.

One thing lead to another, and a few years went by. Two changes in the location of my job made getting to Gilbertsville very difficult. Attempts to get the diner moved to where I was living were unfruitful. Thusly, I asked Gordon Tindall if he was interested in the diner and he said yes! So I gave the diner to Gordon Tindall, who was then living in Towanda, PA running the Red Rose Diner. Gordon, a true fan of the old time diners, fell in love with the diner from the day he saw it in Gilbertsville. He would work at the Red Rose Diner until 2 pm and then put in a good six hours on fixing up the diner.

The top photo is from when the diner was in Gilbertsville and the middle photo was taken about a year after Gordon got the diner, and started working his magic. Gordon got the exterior all fixed up after fixing the structure and was starting to work on the interior. While working on the interior, he hired a local retired sign painter, then 88 years old, to paint the exterior letters.

Later in 2008, the interior was starting to come into shape. Next he would tackle putting the counter back into place.

So now finally, after all the work Gordon has put into the diner, the Spud Boy Lunch will open up for business again in May of 2012. After having the diner in Minnesota for about three years, he was finally able to satisfy the officials in Minnesota. Residents in Lanesboro were initially hesitant about the diner and two pieces that would come along with the diner. But the town has warmed up and seems to be highly anticipating the diner’s opening in May. On a side note,the two pieces were the outhouse buildings Gordon and Val bought. One will house the bathroom, with real plumbing and the other will house a gift shop that will initially open on special occasions. The second is the neon sign. The sign came off a cafe and motel in Marion, MN. The sign either said Vacancy or Office, but Gordon fixed it up and had it painted as you see it in the bottom photo. Also, if you’re a fan of the 1950s television show, “Rocky Jones, Space Ranger,” you may recognize the font of the word “EAT.”

DeBest Diners were built by Lester Timmerman and Ray Larson, previously of Commander Buildings, in Cedar Rapids exclusively for the Solid Gold Diner chain, owned by Timothy Costigan and Steve Strauss. Costigan and Strauss got the idea for these retro-themed diners after seeing a similarly retro model in Atlanta, Georgia. Dinermite Diners was based out of Atlanta, so the design similarities between the two manufacturers are surely not accidental. The company built two diners, and were in operation from 1989 to 1990.

Their first diner opened in Columbus Junction, Iowa in October of 1989, with a second opening at 130 Sugar Creek Lane ,North Liberty in March of 1990.

Diner no. 1 had closed by 1992, and was relocated to 3347 Agency St. (Burlington Plaza West), Burlington, Iowa, after some delays owing to a sub-code concrete foundation.

A larger location, built on-site, opened in Cedar Rapids in the summer of 1994, located in Wiley Plaza, 2133 Wiley Blvd. SW. It had closed by January 1995.

Debest Diner No. 1 was sold, and moved again in 1995 from its Burlington Plaza location to the 400 block of Locust St, Sterling, IL. Color photos of it being installed in its new location can be seen here. There is still a diner-proportioned building on the site, but the door and window placement is all wrong. Does anyone know what ended up happening to this diner?

The North Liberty location (Diner No. 2) had a “suspicious” fire in January 1996 and never reopened. It was purchased by Hans Peter Beyeler and Alex Dahm in 1997, and moved to Switzerland, with the hope of setting it up south of Bern, and reopening it there by summer of 1997.
I can’t find any info as to the diner actually being moved, or if it was set up in Switzerland according to plan.

That address is currently home to Cooley Auto Sales, who opened a year after the sale of the diner to Beyeler and Dahm. Their offices (Picture) have the same proportions and layout as the diner which was (is?) on the site, although what is there now is covered in siding and capped with a standard peaked roof. Either the international shipping plans fell through, or what is currently on the site was built on the existing diner foundation and it was just easiest to follow its form.

Unfortunately, the Farmer’s Diner, of Quechee, VT, closed a week ago today.  It will be greatly missed. 

Read more here.

I finally made it to Cheese Curds Gourmet Burgers and Poutinerie. It opened in January, and when we’ve tried before, the line has been out the door and down the shopping center. This time it was only to the door, so we decided to wait it out.

As the name implies, Cheese Curds does poutine. Real poutine, with homemade gravy and curds, not with grated mozza like you find so many other places. And they don’t skimp on the curds.

The problem I find all too often with these “gourmet burger” places- the ones with a million topping options and combinations, is a weak burger. Places like Cheeburger Cheeburger (yech!) seem to assume you’ll be piling so much stuff on top of the burger, that the patty itself doesn’t have to do anything. Not so at Cheese Curds. The burgers are thick, juicy and flavorful. I got the triple bacon burger, and even through all of it, the flavor of the beef shone through.

Anna, my girlfriend, got the bacon wrapped cheese curd topped hot dog.

The inside of the shop. It’s pretty small, with most of the floor space occupied by the grill. Grill showmanship isn’t dead. While they have a huge variety of items on the menu, the base items (burgers, poutine) are pretty limited, which means they can keep the quality up and the wait times down.

Cheese Curds is located at 380 Pleasant Street, Dartmouth, NS