Compton Diner (Demolished)
Compton, IL
Photo courtesy Don Gardner

The Compton Diner was one of those classic streamlined diners that looked like it belonged on the side of a busy highway. Sitting along old U.S. 51 in the tiny town of Compton, Illinois, it must have been a welcome stop for travelers back when this was one of the state's main north-south routes. By the time this photo was taken, though, the diner had already closed. 07-08

The diner was part of a busy little roadside crossroads that also included a gas station, a tractor dealership, and even a roller-skating rink. It's easy to imagine this being a lively place during the heyday of highway travel before newer roads diverted traffic away from town.

UPDATE: At the time that I remember the Compton Diner from the 50's, it sat next to U.S. route 51, the north-south highway linking Rockford to Bloomington,Illinois( the main thoroughfare in those days). My dad worked next door at the J. I. Case tractor dealers shop and we lived just south of there on the edge of town next to the Burlington route railroad tracks. On the other side sat the Cities Service (Citgo today) service station and behind it was the roller skating rink.

Compton was a typical midwest small town with about a 1/2 mile of roadside next to the highway. As for memories of being there, our family would go there for the Friday night fish fries, or a hamburger and french fries plate. The jukebox had Hank Williams, Ernest Tubb and all of the other country stars. They served cold beer with the meals. I won't ever forget the Hamm's and Pabst neon beer signs. It was the kind of a place where the truck drivers would stop in at. Boy, the sights and sounds of a B series Mack or the unforgettable scream of 3 cylinder Detroit in a COE crackerbox GMC (Jimmie) left an impression on a little boy as he stood there with his J. C. Higgens bicycle. Then the Burlington route freight train crews would stop at the edge of the highway and leave the diesel locomotive idling as they walked to the Diner for an evening meal around 6:00 P.M. coming back in an hour to continue on westward pulling the boxcars. They only stopped when going westbound at that time of the day.

During part of the 1970's, I lived again in that area and often stopped in for nostalgia's sake. But by then the Case dealer was gone and had become a welding shop. The roller skating rink was a warehouse and the service station had been torn down. By the late 1980's the new north -south interstate had come thru east of town. So like a lot of those one horse towns, it has quietly has slipped into the countryside.

Many thanks to Stephen Hormann for update. 10-06

UPDATE : I knew this place as Al's Diner. It has since been torn down. Many thanks to Lou Miller for update. 03-07

UPDATE: Unfortunately, the Compton Diner didn't survive. At some point after closing, the building was demolished, and today nothing remains of this little roadside stop. Compton Diner has been demolished, and the original building is gone. The roadside sign was also removed. 06-26

Lester's Diner (Closed)
Bryan OH
Photo courtesy Mark Hackett

Lester's Diner had one of the best coffee cup signs around. With a giant tipped coffee cup pouring a stream of neon coffee that doubled as an arrow, it was almost impossible to drive by without noticing it. Add in the promise of a 14-ounce cup of coffee, and you had a sign that did exactly what it was supposed to do. 07-08

The diner opened in 1965 and quickly became a favorite in Bryan. Over the years, rumors spread that its famous sign inspired the one used for the television show Alice. While that story has never been confirmed, it's easy to see why people make the connection.

Lester's closed in 2011, but thankfully the building didn't sit empty for long. Today it's home to another family restaurant, and even better, the classic coffee cup sign was saved. The name on the marquee has changed, but the sign is still one of the best roadside landmarks in town.

Lester's Diner street view
Bryan, OH
Photo courtesy Mike Engle

UPDATE: Here's another close-up look at the Lester's Diner marquee. The diner has been in business near downtown since 1965 and features home-style cooking. 04-09

UPDATE: Lester's Diner closed down on May 30, 2011 and was put up for sale. Word is that a Four Seasons Restaurant will be taking over the site. 12/11

UPDATE: Lester's Diner closed in 2011, but the building continues operating as Four Seasons Family Restaurant. The iconic coffee cup sign still survives with updated lettering. 06-26

Lester's Diner marquee
Bryan, OH
Photo courtesy Alan Culley

This sign is a real gem. The cup and it's arrow much have looked amazing back in the day.