Hutch Post, in partnership with Steve Harmon and the Conard-Harmon Collection, is proud to present Throwback Thursday. Enjoy a weekly release from Steve Harmon as he presents the "Hutch - Then & Now Collection."
STEVE HARMON
Hutch Post Contributor
Today's "Throwback Thursday Collection" takes us to the 600 block of North Main on the west side.
I had a reader ask if I had any history on a little "greasy spoon" diner that was located near Grace Hospital during World War II. They could barely remember it or its location. This is what I found.
About 1915, a shoemaker named John Huffine built himself a little cinder-block building at 605 N. Main and did business there until about 1930.
In 1934, it became Joe Bowles Restaurant and, in 1936, it was Minnie Harris's Restaurant.
In 1941, with the onset of World War II, Frank Dragoo and Orville Miller rechristened it the "Victory Dinette" and sold mostly hamburgers. The first photo shows the Victory Dinette at 605 N. Main in 1941 just south of Sam Schneider's service station.
After that, the Victory Dinette had a long line of owners: 1948 to 1954, Leo and Zelma Goss; 1954 to 1962, Orvilla Kirk; 1962 to 1969, Wayne Wisby; 1969 to 1971, Basil Adkins; 1971 to 1974, Alma Mills.
In 1974, Perry Reger Sr. bought the building from Eugene White, razed the old block building, then extended the south end of Reger Rental to add more storage. The second photo shows that remodel in August of 1974.
The third photo shows the same vantage point (as the first photo) today. You can tell where it was.
To purchase a photo print, contact: [email protected].
Throwback Thursday is brought to you by:
Hutchinson/Reno County Chamber of Commerce
STRATACA Kansas Underground Salt Museum
Anchor Inn and Anchor Away