Candyland (Gone)
Youngstown, OH Photo courtesy Steve Felder
Just the sight of Candyland is enough to bring back memories of Christmastime. For generations of kids growing up in Youngstown, Ohio, this neighborhood candy shop was the place to stop for penny candy, popcorn, chocolate treats, and just about anything else that could satisfy a sweet tooth. 05-09
Located on Glenwood Avenue, Candyland became a longtime neighborhood tradition and was especially popular during the holidays. Christmas always seemed a little more magical with shelves full of ribbon candy, festive treats, and plenty of colorful sweets waiting behind the counter. It's easy to see why so many people still remember the little shop with such fondness.
Unfortunately, Candyland is now gone, and its familiar storefront has disappeared from the streetscape. Thankfully, photos like this help preserve the memories of one more hometown landmark that meant so much to so many people.
UPDATE: Candyland has long since closed, and the original storefront and sign are no longer there. Even so, it remains a favorite memory for many who grew up on Youngstown's south side. 07-26
Long's Bakery
Indianapolis, IN Photo courtesy Emily Steele
The marquee at Long's Bakery has been pointing hungry customers toward fresh donuts for generations. Ask just about anyone in Indianapolis where to find the city's best donuts, and chances are Long's will be at the top of the list. 05-09
Long's Bakery opened in 1955 and has built a loyal following with its hot glazed donuts, apple fritters, cake donuts, and other bakery favorites. The original shop on Tremont Street is still a cash-only operation, and it's not unusual to find a line stretching out the door and around the building, especially on weekend mornings. Most customers will tell you the wait is well worth it.
The classic roadside marquee has become almost as well known as the donuts themselves. It's a simple sign, but one that's welcomed generations of Indianapolis residents and visitors looking for a sweet treat.
UPDATE: Long's Bakery continues to serve customers from its original Indianapolis location and remains one of the city's most beloved bakeries. The classic roadside marquee is still there, welcoming another generation of donut lovers. 07-26
Milty Wilty
Wautoma, WI Photo and info courtesy Joe Koehler
It's hard to drive past Milty Wilty without noticing the spectacular neon sign glowing along the highway. Located at the junction of Highways 21 and 73 in Wautoma, Wisconsin, this summertime favorite has been drawing hungry travelers in with frozen custard, burgers, and plenty of neon for generations. 08-10
Milty Wilty opened in 1947 as a small frozen custard stand and has been a local tradition ever since. Over the years, it has grown to include indoor seating, miniature golf, and a playground, but the frozen custard remains the star of the show. Burgers, coney dogs, shakes, and sundaes have kept families coming back year after year.
The giant neon sign is one of Wisconsin's roadside treasures and looks every bit as good today as it did decades ago. If you're traveling through central Wisconsin during the summer, it's well worth making a stop.
UPDATE: Milty Wilty continues to operate seasonally under family ownership. The iconic neon sign still lights up the intersection, welcoming another generation of customers looking for frozen custard and a taste of roadside Americana. 07-26
Twistee Treat
Clyde, OH Photo courtesy Mike Engle
It's hard not to smile when a giant ice cream cone suddenly appears along the roadside. Twistee Treat in Clyde, Ohio, is one of the few surviving cone-shaped stands left in the country and is guaranteed to make anyone crave an ice cream cone on a hot summer day. 08-10
Originally built as a Twistee Treat, the stand is one of several fiberglass cone buildings that made their way from Florida to Ohio after the original company went out of business. Today it operates as The Twist, but the famous cone-shaped building remains the main attraction. Along with soft-serve ice cream, shakes, sundaes, and flurries, the stand also serves a variety of sandwiches and other summertime favorites.
These whimsical cone-shaped buildings are becoming harder to find every year, making this one a real roadside treasure. If it looks familiar, Roadside Peek has also featured similar Twistee Treat stands in Florida and Illinois.
UPDATE: The former Twistee Treat continues to operate seasonally as The Twist in Clyde. The giant fiberglass ice cream cone still stands, making it one of the few surviving Twistee Treat buildings in the United States. 07-26
Howdy's Dari-Owl (Demolished)
Wellsville, OH Photo courtesy Mark Hackett
If you're looking for ice cream, Howdy's Dari-Owl was once a great roadside stop in Wellsville, Ohio. The colorful sign featuring Mr. Dari Owl gave the little stand plenty of personality and made it hard for passing motorists to drive by without taking a second look. 11-00
Howdy's Dari-Owl served generations of local families with soft-serve ice cream, shakes, sundaes, hot dogs, fries, and other summertime favorites. Like so many neighborhood dairy bars, it became a place where people gathered on warm evenings for a quick bite or a frozen treat.
Unfortunately, the stand is now gone. The building was demolished, the familiar Mr. Dari Owl sign disappeared, and the site has since been redeveloped. Thankfully, photos like this preserve the memory of one more classic roadside ice cream stand that has faded into history.
UPDATE: Howdy's Dari-Owl has been demolished, and the property is now occupied by a commercial retail business. The original Mr. Dari Owl sign no longer survives. 07-26
Dairy Twist
Connersville, IN Photo and info courtesy Doug Harvey
For many years, Dairy Twist has been a favorite summertime stop in Connersville, Indiana. Whether it's for an ice cream cone, a shake, or a quick bite to eat, generations of locals have made this little roadside stand part of their warm-weather routine. 09-06
Like many classic neighborhood dairy bars, Dairy Twist is a walk-up stand where the simple menu and friendly service have kept customers coming back year after year. It's the kind of place that's just as much about tradition as it is the ice cream, especially on a hot summer evening.
The roadside sign has welcomed customers for decades and remains a familiar sight around town. Thankfully, places like Dairy Twist are still around, reminding us that some of the best roadside stops are often the simplest ones.
UPDATE: Dairy Twist remains open in Connersville and continues serving generations of customers from its classic walk-up stand. The familiar roadside sign is still there, welcoming visitors each season. 07-26
Twistee Treat (Demolished)
Strasburg, OH Photo courtesy Richard Weiss
It's always fun to come across a Twistee Treat along the roadside, especially one housed inside a giant ice cream cone. This Strasburg, Ohio, location was one of those places that was almost impossible to drive past without thinking about stopping for a cone or shake. 03-07
Like other Twistee Treat stands, the building itself was the attraction. The giant fiberglass cone was part of a unique design that once appeared at locations across the country, but only a handful have managed to survive over the years. The Strasburg stand was one of several cone-shaped buildings that found a second life in Ohio after being relocated from Florida.
Unfortunately, this one is no longer around. The stand has been demolished, and one more of these whimsical roadside landmarks has disappeared. Thankfully, photos like this preserve the memory of a roadside icon that brought smiles to travelers for years.
UPDATE: The Strasburg Twistee Treat has been demolished, and the giant fiberglass cone is gone. Only a small number of these unique Twistee Treat buildings remain standing today. 07-26
Candyland (Gone)
Long's Bakery
Milty Wilty
Twistee Treat
Howdy's Dari-Owl (Demolished)
Twistee Treat (Demolished)
