 Mel-O-Cream Donuts
Springfield, IL
Photos courtesy Chibbqking
A stop at Mel-O-Cream Donuts has been a Springfield tradition for generations. The familiar retro signs have welcomed hungry customers for decades, pointing the way to fresh donuts, coffee, and other baked treats that have made the local business a favorite since the Great Depression. See the Mel-O-Cream website for more information. 05-09
Mel-O-Cream was founded in 1932 by Kelly Grant Sr. during one of the country's toughest economic times. Despite those humble beginnings, the company continued to grow, expanding to 14 retail shops by around 1980. As the business evolved, its focus shifted toward manufacturing and wholesale distribution, supplying frozen and par-baked products to customers across the country while continuing to operate a handful of retail locations in Springfield.
 The classic Mel-O-Cream signs remain a familiar sight around town and serve as a reminder of one of Springfield's longest-running local businesses. Sometimes the best roadside landmarks aren't giant neon signs—they're the places that generations of families have been stopping at for years.
UPDATE: Mel-O-Cream Donuts remains in business, operating three retail locations in Springfield while continuing its large-scale wholesale baking and distribution business. The familiar retro signs continue to welcome customers today. 07-26
Mel-O_Cream marquee
Springfield, IL
Photo courtesy William North
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 The Dari
Hebron, IL
Photo courtesy Kelly Sullivan
If you're passing through Hebron, Illinois, it's hard to miss the retro roadside sign for The Dari. Sitting at the corner of two state highways, this longtime seasonal favorite has been drawing locals and travelers in for ice cream, burgers, and other summertime treats for decades. 08-10
The Dari has been serving the Hebron community since 1969 and continues to operate as a classic walk-up ice cream stand. Open during the warmer months each year, it's known for soft-serve cones, sundaes, dipped treats, Vienna Beef hot dogs, bratwurst, burgers, and other casual favorites. In 2024, the business changed hands, with the new owners pledging to preserve the name, menu, and nostalgic feel that generations of customers have come to enjoy.
The vintage roadside sign remains one of the stand's most recognizable features and is a great reminder of the days when independent dairy bars were a summertime staple in small towns across America. Fortunately, both the sign and the tradition continue today.
UPDATE: The Dari remains open as a seasonal roadside favorite under new ownership. The classic sign still welcomes customers looking for ice cream and other summertime favorites. 07-26 |
 Taylor-Maid Frozen Custard (Closed)
Sandoval, IL
Photo courtesy Kelly Sullivan
The pair of ice cream cones on the roadside sign makes Taylor-Maid Frozen Custard hard to miss when passing through Sandoval, Illinois. Located along U.S. Route 51, this seasonal drive-in has been a summertime favorite for generations, serving frozen treats and classic roadside fare. 08-10
Originally opened as Taylor-Maid Frozen Custard, the drive-in now operates as Annie's Taylor-Maid Drive-In while continuing the traditions that made it a local favorite. The seasonal menu includes frozen custard, shakes, burgers, crinkle-cut fries, breaded pork tenderloin sandwiches, and other drive-in classics. Customers order at the walk-up window before enjoying their meal at outdoor picnic tables or from their cars.
The sign remains one of the stand's best features, with its colorful lettering and twin ice cream cones reminding travelers of a time when small independent frozen custard stands could be found in towns all across the Midwest. Fortunately, this one is still going strong.
UPDATE: Annie's Taylor-Maid Drive-In is now permanently closed. The classic roadside sign has been gone since sometime prior to 2016. 07-26
 Abandoned Ice Cream Stand signage
Morton, OH
Photos and info courtesy Richard Weiss
Traveled to this tiny pretty much non-existent town of Morton and spotted an old neon sign that simply said "Eat", a true classic of yesterday's road side travels. I stopped to inspect this place. It looked like it had been abandoned for years, but was left as if it were to open for the next season which never came.
The sandwich price of $1.50 and the 80's style Pepsi sign and grass in front of the ordering windows are very telling of a place that has sat still for a number of years. Inside you could still see a 1950's starburst clock, a flower vase, and cups ready for service. It was probably closed in a very clean condition.
What you see over the equipment are the acoustic asbestos ceiling panels that had started to come down, some of had dissolved almost to a pasty powder on top of the machines.
 Abandoned building
Morton, OH
Photos and info courtesy Richard Weiss
There was a blond wood 50's era display case that I could not get a photograph of. I see a lot of abandoned buildings in my travels but rarely one that was left 100% intact especially an ice cream stand as the equipment is always sold off for further trading. I was unable to find a name for this place, probably something like Morton Ice Cream. It looks to have been built in the mid 1950's and all these years later it is still miles from anywhere. Many thanks to Richard Weiss for info. 10-10
 Old pricing from yesteryear
Morton, OH
Photos and info courtesy Richard Weiss
UPDATE: Time hasn't been kind to this abandoned ice cream stand in Morton, Ohio, but its old roadside signs still manage to catch the eye. Even after decades of sitting empty, it's easy to imagine the days when families would pull in for a cone, shake, or other summertime treat.
Little is known about the history of the stand today. The original business name, its owners, and exactly when it opened or closed have all been lost over time. What remains is a small walk-up building and a pair of weathered roadside signs that hint at a much busier past.
 Starburst clock and pasty powder
Morton, OH
Photos and info courtesy Richard Weiss
Abandoned places like this have a way of sparking the imagination. While countless neighborhood ice cream stands have disappeared over the years, a few reminders still survive for those willing to venture off the main road. Hopefully, these old signs are still standing, the abandoned ice cream stand remains on the lot, and the weathered roadside signs continue to survive despite decades of neglect. 07-26 |
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