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All across our nation communities are joining together to lovingly preserve and restore the larger than life landmarks that have become part of our culture ... 

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Lucy the Elephant was built by James V. Lafferty in 1882 as a way to attract visitors to his property in Margate City, NJ.  The six story high elephant is the oldest example of  animal shaped architecture.  Lucy has been operated as a restaurant, business office, cottage, and tavern, but by the 1960s was scheduled for demolition.  A group of Margate citizens formed the Save Lucy Committee, and through their efforts she was relocated and refurbished.  Lucy is now a National Historic Landmark, and enjoys many visitors each year.

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Jack Ainsworth built the Teapot Dome Service Station in 1922 as a tongue-in-cheek commemoration of the Harding Administration Teapot Dome Scandal.  In 1978 the construction of I-82 forced the removal of the building from its' original location.  Five days before the scheduled move it was struck by a car and damaged.  The hand crafted building was reconstructed and then moved with the help of the State Dept. of Transportation. Friends of the Teapot Association consider the Teapot Dome a historic treasure and are working to bring the building to the city of Zillah as a Visitor's Center.

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In 1933, Arther Gagner built this colossal Coney Island inspired milk bottle to sell his homemade ice cream thus creating a very early drive thru dairy.  In the 1960s, glass milk bottles went out of use, and the giant bottle was abandoned as well.  The Hood Dairy company purchased the 40 foot tall milk bottle and it was shipped by ferry to the Boston Children's Museum.  After extensive renovations, The Hood Milk Bottle now stands in its own plaza and once again serves ice cream to the public.

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Randy's Donuts was built in 1953 and was the second of 10 locations of Russell C. Wendell's Big Donut Drive-in.  The California eatery was designed by Henry Goodwin as a somewhat ordinary looking diner with an extraordinary 32.5 foot donut on top.  Brothers Ron and Larry Weintraub purchased Randy's from a family member and have kept its traditions alive for over 30 years.  The building is a beloved landmark that is still considered one of the best bakeries and has proven its pop culture status by being featured in movies, music videos, tv series, even video games.

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Join Us Backstage With Our Featured Members  >

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Hollywood Magic  >

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Return to Elegance  >

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Retro Eatery
Takes Us Back to the 50s  >

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 &

<  Return to My Guide to the Backroads of America

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