Stepping back in time offers fascinating glimpses into everyday life, and what better way to do so than through the lens of food? A peek into the 1957 Columbus City Directory reveals a treasure trove of local eateries, painting a vivid picture of dining out in Columbus, Indiana, over six decades ago. This directory, a snapshot of businesses at the time, provides an intriguing list of restaurants that once served the Columbus community. While navigating this historical menu of establishments, some interesting patterns and questions emerge about the ever-evolving landscape of food in Columbus, Indiana.
Discovering 1957 Columbus Restaurants: A Directory List
The 1957 Columbus City Directory lists a variety of places to grab a bite. From snack shops to drive-ins, the options reflect the dining trends of the era. Here’s a transcribed list from the directory, offering a taste of Columbus’s culinary scene in 1957:
- Ann’s Snack Shop 1721 State Street
- B & M 2110 Central Avenue
- Bills Lunch 309 4th Street
- Bob-O-Link Drive In 25th and US 31
- Carmichael, Carmel L. 544 Jackson Street
- Central Park Cafeteria 1607 Central Avenue
- Davis, Gerald I. 421 7th Street
- Davis, June E. Mrs. 426 4th Street
- Eighth Street Shop 129 West 8th Street
- Farmers Home 326 3rd Street
- Fifth Street Sandwich Shop 414 5th Street
- Fisher, Emily E. Mrs. 317 4th Street
- Gause Café 426 3rd Street
- Greenlee, Pearl 1644 Orinoco Avenue
- Harold’s Café 321 4th Street
- Harvey’s Grill 304 3rd Street
- Horn’s Fish Sandwich Shop 324 4th Street
- Jerry’s Lunch 1512 McKinley Avenue
- Kitchenette, The 906 25th Street
- Lafayette House 1001 Lafayette Avenue
- Lib’s Drive In Number 2 1115 25th Street
- Lib’s Nook 534 Washington Street
- Lucas, Merlin A. 423 4th Street
- Mabel’s Bar & Grill 312 3rd Street
- Mac’s Lunch 1632 7th Street
- Mercury Drive In 1830 National Road
- McQueen, Roy E. 320 3rd Street
- Midway Café 1202 7th Street
- Mildred’s Cafeteria 224 Jackson Street
- Milnes Grill 272 Oak Street
- Nick’s Drive In 3007 National Road
- Palms Café 425-27 4th Street
- Paul’s Café 631 Jackson Street
- Pine Knott Grill 2531 Ohio Avenue
- Plantation Bar 302 8th Street
- Ruby’s Drive In 1521 State Street
- Salley’s Lunch 2546 McKinley Avenue
- Seventeenth Street 2024 17th Street
- Shorty’s Lunch 601 Wilson Street
- State Street Café 1732 State Street
- Stine, Flossie A. Mrs. 432 4th Street
- Suburban Grill 2221 Illinois Avenue
- Swain 607 Washington Street
- Tannery Lunch West end of Fifth Street
- Taylor’s Grill 1202 Washington Street
- Terminal Lunch 536 Jackson Street
- Third Street Café 316 3rd Street
- Willie Food Shop 419 5th Street
Observations and Culinary Curiosities from the 1957 Directory
This list is more than just names and addresses; it’s a window into the past. Reviewing these listings brings up interesting points. It’s noticeable that some restaurant locations have persisted through time, though often with name changes, reflecting the dynamic nature of the food industry. Conversely, some familiar names from that era might have vanished entirely from Columbus’s food scene. The directory also blurs the lines between restaurant and tavern, with some establishments appearing in both categories, indicating a different approach to dining and socializing in 1957.
Interestingly, Zaharako Dairy, a well-known name in Columbus food history located at 718 Pearl Street, is absent from the main restaurant list but appears in a location listing within the 1957 directory. This subtle difference highlights the nuances of directory classifications and perhaps the diverse operations of food-related businesses at the time. 1957 also marked the year Columbus High School transitioned to its 25th Street campus. The former campus became a middle school, raising questions about lunch options for students in that era and whether off-campus lunch breaks were a part of the high school experience.
It’s also important to consider the potential limitations of the directory itself. Listings might have been subject to a fee, which could mean that this list isn’t exhaustive. Furthermore, the directory seems focused on establishments within Columbus city limits, potentially omitting restaurants just outside of town, like Denny’s Hill Top or Miller’s, mentioned in local recollections. The absence of listings at locations like the US 31 & SR 7 junction, a spot historically associated with eateries, further suggests a defined geographical scope for this directory.
This glimpse into the 1957 Columbus City Directory offers a fascinating, albeit possibly incomplete, menu of food options from a bygone era. It invites us to ponder the evolution of food culture in Columbus, Indiana, and to perhaps unearth more stories and memories connected to these vintage dining spots.
