DIAMONDS ARE FOREVER
In 1927, on a wedge of Villa Ridge Mo. real estate bounded by ROUTE 66 and Highway 100, Spencer Groof closed down his banana stand and built the original DIAMONDS RESTAURANT. The property’s shape gave rise to the unique ‘diamond’ design of the building that became it’s trademark. This ‘Mother Road’ business flourished and over time it's services expanded to include rental cabins and two (one hot and one cold) swimming pools. A fire so intense that it shut down ROUTE 66 destroyed the original building in 1948. Undeterred, the DIAMONDS continued to operate out of temporary facilities until a new ART DECO "diamond shaped" brick structure was completed in 1950. This new establishment, billed as "The World's Largest Roadside Restaurant" was equally successful and a MUST STOP for ROUTE 66 travelers. It continued to operate at it’s Villa Ridge location until 1967 when the business was moved to a new location closer to I-44. This original location reopened as the Tri County Truck Stop, formerly located in Sullivan Mo., and continued serving the motoring public for many years.
Although the DIAMONDS is now shuttered and no longer serving those ’Trucker Specials’, in the hearts of ’OLD ROAD’ enthusiasts, DIAMONDS ARE FOREVER!!
Congratulations to RGS for FTF
| NOTICE: For additional details on the Route 66 project (plans, thoughts, template, etc) or to participate and create Route 66 caches along the "Mother Road" in your area, visit our site at www.route66geocaching.org. (visit link). . |