Ever cruise the street looking for a nice hot tamale to enjoy when you
find a building... shaped like a tamale? Or how about orange juice from
a stand that looks like an orange! Root beer from a root beer barrel? An
Owl Cafe that looks like an owl? Well, here at Roadside Peek'sRoadside Vernacular, taste a few tidbits of the roadside's best of the
programmatic architecture still remaining!
"Shoe building"
Bakersfield, CA Photo by RoadsidePeek.com
Ever read Mother Grimm tales? If you're in Bakersfield, California and
pass by this Shoe Building treasure, you just might think you're
living it! Complete with shoe laces, the building interestingly sits next
door to a residence. Check out this building at Roadside Peek'sRoadside Vernacular Central California.
Tail O' The Pup
Los Angeles, CA Photo by RoadsidePeek.com
Want a hot dog from a
hot dog? When the Tail O' the Pup ended having to move
locations due to what some call big bad "progress" back in the 1980's, this
little weenie originally found itself a new home along San Vicente. Unfortunately, the "Tail" ended up being evicted again and is currently looking for a new home. See this example of programmatic architecture from Southern California and others at Roadside Peek'sRoadside Vernacular Southern California.
Kentucky Fried Chicken Photo courtesy Don Whitten
Yes, it's a big chicken! Reconstructed from a Big Chicken Restaurant
in the mid-1990's, this Kentucky Fried Chicken is sure to raise
a few eyebrows for those that pass by this site (and sight!) in Marietta,
Georgia. See this roadside delight and more at Roadside Peek'sRoadside Vernacular Southeast.
Owl Cafe
Albuquerque, NM Photo courtesy Dee Chew
If you're ever in the Albuquerque New Mexico area, check out the Owl
Cafe. It's worth the drive just to check out the huge owl the adorns
the rooftop. It's a "hoot!" (okay, okay) Check out more programmatic favorites from Arizona at Roadside Peek'sRoadside Vernacular Arizona.
XXX Root Beer
Issaquah,
Washington Photo courtesy Steve Felder
Ahhh, root beer on a hot summer day from a real root beer stand shaped
like a barrel. What could be better, other than an extra serving. In any
case, XXX Root Beer is the place. See this place and other programmatic architecture favorites at Roadside Peek'sRoadside Vernacular Pacific Northwest.
The Cup
Pottstown, PA Photo and info courtesy Vicki Dransoff
Located in Pottstown, PA this cup-shaped building was built back in the
40's by a local dairy to sell milk, etc. Since the 60's, The Cup has been a landmark local diner, and home of the Texas Tommy hot dog.
Check out other programmatic architecture from the East at Roadside Peek'sRoadside Vernacular East.