Valentine Diner

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Valentine diner on old Route 66 in Valentine, Arizona Along Old Rt. 66, Diner, Valentine, AZ (6709916209).jpg
Valentine diner on old Route 66 in Valentine, Arizona

A Valentine Diner was a prefabricated mail order small diner produced in Wichita, Kansas after the Great Depression. [1] The concept was created by Arthur Valentine in the 1930s, who had experience operating lunch rooms. [2] Originally the diners were manufactured by the Ablah Hotel Supply Company.

In 1947, manufacturing was taken over by the Valentine Manufacturing Company. [3] After World War II and the implementation of the Interstate Highway System in the U.S. in the late 1950s, prefabricated diners saw a boom in business as motorists took to the roads in greater numbers for longer journeys and would stop for a meal. [4] Valentine Diners were produced until the 1970s, and several survive as operating business (sometimes as a restaurant, sometimes as other businesses) around the United States today. A few have become historical roadside attractions, such as along historic Route 66. [5]

At least twelve different Valentine Diners styles were produced. [6] Diners can be identified by either their wall safe, which will have a Valentine logo (a heart with an arrow through it), or the Valentine diner steel serial number plate, which has the word “Valentine” written on it.

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References

  1. Harris, Chris (2009). East from FRISCO - on the Trail of America's Soul. Cambridge, UK: Foundry Publishing Group. ISBN   978-1-4461-5696-4.
  2. Kansas Historical Society (July 2014). "Arthur Hoyt Valentine". Kansas Historical Society. Retrieved 7 September 2018.
  3. Kansas Historical Society (July 2014). "Valentine Diners - Business". Kansas Historical Society. Retrieved 7 September 2018.
  4. Sisson, Patrick (May 30, 2017). "Diners, the original prefab success story". Curbed. Retrieved 7 September 2018.
  5. Norah, Jessica (April 2018). "Route 66 Itinerary: The Ultimate American Road Trip". Independent Travel Cats. Retrieved 7 September 2018.
  6. Kansas Historical Society (July 2014). "Valentine Diners - Identifying". Kansas Historical Society. Retrieved 7 September 2018.