ROOT BEER STAND

It was on July 4, 1939 that Charles "Pete" and Ruth Peterson opened their Root Beer stand at 315 Austin Avenue. It was a simple camp office-like structure designed to attract thirsty travelers along the busy U.S-12 route through Albion.

As the business grew, the Root Beer stand was replaced with a new brick structure called "The Lanterns." It is only listed in the 1941 city directory. In a 1941 advertisement they boasted, "We have introduced several items in Albion: Footlong hot dogs, our giant hamburgs, chicken, any style you like it, 7 days a week, genuine southern pit Bar B-Q." They also offered "Modern up-to-date Tourist cabins and Drive-in Curb Service," according to the advertisement. So, there would have been the Peterson residence, the Lantern restaurant building, and some cabins using the same 315 address. They celebrated their two-year anniversary on July 4, 1941.

Unfortunately, this business did not survive World War II, as it is not listed in the 1944 directory. At that time the family of Floyd Cooper is listed as living at 315, probably in the former Peterson residence. The 315 address is vacant throughout the rest of the 1940s until the 1951 directory when William Longstaff is listed as the owner of the Epicure Cafe there. Later, the 1955 directory lists the Better Meals Restaurant owned by Claude Rodgers as operating here. This listing continues through 1960. The 1962 directory lists the Estelle Sale House Discount Sales owned by Raymond Estelle of Marshall. By 1963, Paul Rabakon operated his Paul's Party Store here. The 315 address is vacant for several years until renumbered, as Lou's Launderette appears as 317 in 1976, as well as Albion Motor Supply at 319.

From our Historical Notebook this week we present a July 22, 1939 photo of the Root Beer stand shortly after it opened. How many of our readers remember any of the restaurants at 315 Austin Ave during the 1940s and 1950s?

	Frank Passic — Albion Historian An Albion native and 1971 graduate of Albion High School, Frank Passic has been researching and writing Albion history since 1976. He is the creator of the Albion Historical Notebook, with hundreds of articles appearing weekly in the Morning Star and The Recorder. Frank maintains an extensive personal archive including Riverside Cemetery records, family surname files, genealogies, photographs, city directories, and high school yearbooks. Support his 2026 research at the Historic Albion Michigan Facebook page. Historical Notebook \| From the Archives \| Subject List \| 100 Years Ago \| Alphabetical Index \| Frank Passic Home Page \| Albion History Books \| Contact Frank
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