Dean’s in Blairsville Pennsylvania is a classic 1950′s diner. A Fodero, to be more exact. Opened for business in 1953. The diner car part of the restaurant seemed very original. There is an addition wrapped around the original stainless steel diner car. So when they are busy there are plenty of tables to be had in the add-on dining area.  

I loved the place for its 1950′s autenticity. I had a cheesburger plate and it was just fine. Pie was even better. Wait staff, dressed in white uniforms, was friendly and professional.     

For a more complete account of the history of Dean’s Diner, see this article on the Pittsburg Post-Gazette web site. The article is a few years old. I’m sure the place is no longer for sale. It may be for sale again by now, but it doesn’t really matter because whoever is running the business now has maintained the property and the food and the staff that made Dean’s a standout joint in the first place.

Where

2175 Route 22 Hwy W
Blairsville, PA 15717-1270
(724) 459-9600

 Map

 
Storm’s in Lampasas opened for business in 1950. This place was originally called the Dairy Cue. They sold soft-serve ice cream, but hamburgers were also on the menu. The business grew all through the 1950′s, and the awnings and speaker system were added during this time.

Storm’s in Lampasas is a drive-in. No indoor dining room. They do have a very nice outdoor patio. You can order from the patio and they will bring your food out to you.

They still grind their own hamburger meat and make the french fries from fresh-cut potatoes. The hamburger patties are thin. That seems to be popular with these 1950′s burger joints. Consider ordering a double meat burger or better yet the Storm’s Special.

Storm’s in Lampasas is a great example of a 1950′s drive-in. The old awnings, the menu boxes, and the speaker system are all, well, old.  The provenance of this place is unquestionable. The same family has run the joint since the day they opened in 1950. The place has an authentic 1950′s feel to it. Good burgers, by the way. Give it a try, next time your in Lampasas Texas.

Map to Storm’s

Description From The Publisher

Texans are passionate about this signature sandwich, and photographer/writer Rick Vanderpool has become, in his own right, the Hambassador of Texas. In 2006, Rick undertook a quest to find and photograph the best Texas burgers, traveling over eleven thousand miles and visiting over seven hundred Texas burger joints. Since that time, he has continued his travels, sampling the finest the Lone Star State has to offer. He’s also picked up some fellow enthusiasts willing to share their own tasty tales along the way. From Fletcher Davis’s 1885 Athens creation (recipe included) and the Cheeseburger Capital of Texas in Friona to Whataburger #2 in Corpus Christi and Herd’s in Jacksboro, join Rick and his “Hamburger Helpers” on their journey celebrating the history of the original Texas hamburger.

More Info

The book starts out by painting a picture of the origins of the hamburger in Texas. There are several chapters dedicated to hamburger history. Rick’s research was quite broad going way beyond historical facts. Part of the brilliance of the book is that it contains so many stories, descriptions, and recommendations from people located all across the state of Texas. How else can one person write a book about Texas hamburgers? I learned this years ago: when traveling the best advice for places to eat usually comes from the locals.  Rick incorporated plenty of advice from many friends and acquaintances to write a book full of information on burger joints from across the state of Texas. This book is fun, informative and a valuable resource.

Texas hamburger joint enthusiasts will want to read “The Texas Hamburger: History of a Lone Star Icon”. This text could end up being a classic resource book for Texas road trip travelers. I guess it’s my practical side that makes me see things this way–beyond the art and prose of the author, this book is a road trip journal and potential resource for any of you charting the less-traveled byways and destinations.

Check out the Facebook page and you can buy a signed copy of the book here. 

Note: Image of cover art provided by and Copyright (c) Rick Vanderpool.

Hancock Springs

Hancock Springs has been a popular destination for swimming at least since the 1880′s. Back in the 19th Century people came here seeking the health benefits of the spring water. A sign in front of Hancock Park claims the bathing pools at Hancock Springs are the oldest in the state. The original bath house, built in 1883, has been preserved by the community and is right next to the modern pool, that was built in 1911. This newer pool has been maintained by the city and is still in use today.

The pool at Hancock Springs is what they call a free flowing pool. The water from the spring is channeled to one end of the pool. This spring water then flows across the pool and in turn flows out of the pool and is channeled to Sulphur Creek which is near by. So, this is not like a regular pool that has filters and chlorine to keep the water clear. It’s just the constant flow of water and the origin of the water that keeps the pool clean.

On first site you may think the pool is not clean. That was my own first impression. It has a sort of drab green tint to it that is deceptive. The water comes from underground sources. It’s loaded with minerals that give it a turquoise tint. A dip in this pool was all it took to confirm that it was quite clean and wonderful to swim in. The water coming out of the spring has a constant temperature of 69 degrees. A little cold but refreshing once you get in. On a hundred degree day, it’s simply wonderful to cool off here.

Some pools with spring sources have a sulphur odor, but I encountered none of that at Hancock Springs. The water is very good here. The pool is quite big, and was not at all busy the day I was there. The surroundings are nice: trees, grass, picnic tables, shade, all the important accommodations are present.

Hancock Springs pool is highly recommended for anyone looking for the “old school pool” experience. I’ve already said it was over 100 degrees the day I was there. Someone I spoke to that day told me about the new pool, across town, at the site of Hanna Springs. The city built a new pool there a few years ago. She told me that that new pool was really nice. Then in the same breath she said: “but that water is hot!” I love the history of this place, but setting that aside, the cool clean water of this pool make it a very good pick on a hot day.

I asked about the schedule for the rest of 2011, and I was told that the pool would be open regular hours, sees city web site, until August 20. School starts there on August 22 and after that the pool will be open on weekends until it gets too cold. I have checked on pool hours before and can tell you if you call the city’s central phone number, the operator will get you the information you need.

The Hostess House

The Hostess House is a two story building, right next to the Hancock Springs Pool. This building was originally constructed in the 1920′s, and it complimented the pool, providing changing rooms and a place for dances and public gatherings. In the 1940′s a golf course was added to Hancock Park and the Hostess House was improved. Through the years this public building had provided a place for locals to gather, dance, have proms, weddings, and so on. Today the property still is used for pretty much the same purpose. Weddings, a catering company operates out of the building and runs the Green Frog Tea Room. During the week you can stop to eat here and see the inside of the building.

 Town Square

On a cooler day I would have found a place to eat German food, but it was too hot on the day of my visit. The town square hasn’t changed much since my last visit. One thing new that I noticed is The Waters of Lampasas walk path. A display of murals related to the waters of the area, and located in an alley off the Square. Also new, an old sign uncovered on an old store front right next to the walk path. I’ll include photos of both of these new features below.

Wrap Up

I stopped at Storms for a burger. Lampasas is the location of the original Storms Drive-in. I will write a separate article about them since I have several pictures to share. I usually look for ethnic food when in Lampasas. Like I said, it was too hot for a heavy meal when I visited in July. I had read about a place called the Sweet Pickle Deli in the same area as Hancock Park. Sure enough, the place is just a couple tenths of a mile south of the park heading towards Burnet. The deli is tiny but charming. It’s not a full menu restaurant, more like a catering business with an open front door and daily specials. I don’t want to go on about this place, but just want to say it was a great experience for me. Check them out on the Web and find a map in Google maps: 512-556-8330.

Related to Lampasas

Lampasas Texas History and Trip Guide

Lampasas Texas County Courthouse

Storm’s Drive-in in Lampasas Texas

Map of Hancock Springs

Images

There are so many pages on the Web that feature a picture of the Star of Texas Rocker but not much more. I just figured there wasn’t anything else here to see. What a surprise it was to find an interesting business next to the rocker. The main building is the Mercantile Store. They sell hand-made furniture and gifts of all sorts in there.

I really need to start with the mercantile building first. It’s made from native trees harvested in the area and cut up at the saw mill at Natty Flats. The building and the use of materials is quite different. It looks like they are using historical construction methods and materials. No drywall or drop-ceilings here.

There’s also a good collection of artifacts from the rural past of this area. Corn crib, old wagon, I already talked about the saw mill. Some of the furniture they build is also reminiscent of an earlier time. They even have authentic old fashion outhouses. A real treat for anyone that has never seen one before. They’re the real deal too, except for the modern plumbing and air conditioning, that is.

And, they have the Star of Texas Rocker. World’s largest rocking chair, almost 26 feel tall. They made it, by the way. Can’t buy these at the big-box building supply store. Nope.

Next door to the Mercantile Store is the Natty Flat Smoke House. A decent place to eat if your hungry for barbecue. They also have a functional soda fountain and make soda fountain drinks.

The worlds largest rocker is something to see, but they also do a good job of portraying the history of the area, and some of their hand made original furnishings are really outstanding.

Located on Highway 281 about 7 miles South of Interstate Highway 20. Not too far out of your way if your in this area traveling on I20. If your vacationing in the Granbury Texas area it’s not too far away and easy to work into your travel plan.

Natty Flat Texas on a Google Map

Images

Krause Springs is one heck of a swimming hole. This place has been on every list of the best places to swim in Texas that I have ever read. That means that quite a few other web sites have visited this destination and wrote elegantly about it. Here’s my quick take on this destination.

This swimming hole is on private property. So, it’s a little different than so many other swimming holes that are on public land or owned by cities. Your basically swimming in someone else’s back yard.

What a yard though. The parking lot is sort of on top of a hill. There’s a house there and a garden of sorts. I think they call it a butterfly garden. Paths head down the hill form there to other area of this property. A little way down the path from the house are bath houses and picnic shelters. Then you will come to a man-made pool. Further down the hill in a valley are the springs and a creek. This bottom area is really beautiful. Huge cypress trees, water cascading over the hillside, a rope to swing on. Plenty of rocks and water, really just a wonderful place to swim and laze in the shade of ancient cypress trees.

The man-made pool is special because they are pumping spring water from below to fill this pool. You know the water is from springs because it is so cold. The day I was there is was about 103 degrees, but 5 minutes in this pool and I couldn’t remember being hot. Because the water’s so cold it can be tricky getting in the first time. I advocate the all at once method. Just jump in and get it over. I guess you could call this a free-flow pool because the water is constantly flowing through it and the excess flows out the end of the pool and cascades down the hill into the creek below.

A truly unique place. Here’s location information and a map.

Construction began in February 1939 and was completed in October of that same year. The Regency Suspension Bridge spans 340 feet from tower to tower. The bridge stands 25 feet above the recorded high water level of the Colorado River at Regency.

This bridge was restored in 1997. Really an amazing site. Pictures really don’t convey how high this bridge is above the river or how far it spans from side to side.

Many sites on the Web recommend driving on FM 574 and Mills County Road 433 to get to the bridge. This is a fine way to get there if you don’t mind driving on washboard gravel roads for about 5 miles. An alternative route is FM 500 near San Saba to Mills County Road 433. This map should help.