The Wagon Wheel Restaurant on Route 66 in Needles, Calif., marked its 35th anniversary on Aug. 1, according to the Needles Desert Star, although a restaurant has been on that site for longer than that.
The restaurant used the day for various special meals and drinks to commemorate 35 years. Customers also could get added discounts if they showed a commemorative coin marking Needles’ centennial.
And previous owner Jimmy Jackson attended the ceremonies:
He helped with a speech about how he came into possession of the restaurant in 1978, after having to rebuild it. It previously was Lynn’s Broiler but a fire destroyed all but the fireplace that still stands.
Jackson talked about how long it took to rebuild the restaurant and how it sort of accidentally ended up in his ownership. He said he ended up really enjoying it but then it was time to sell and that’s when Alexis and Mike Dick arrived. […]
He spoke of how the restaurant seems to have real staying power and how much various customers love it, including truck drivers. He said he and Alexis started out not knowing anyone but now they know everyone. […]
Mary Stein also had memories of both Lynn’s Broiler and the Wagon Wheel. What she notices most about the Wagon Wheel is how many tourists want to take photos of the building, she said. There’s such a fascination with it, especially by Europeans who are fascinated with Route 66. The restaurant is located on one alignment of the famous Mother Road, she continued.
One more notable thing about the Wagon Wheel — its menus were designed by late Route 66 artist Bob Waldmire. You can see his work here.
(Image of the Wagon Wheel Restaurant by Lindsay Eyink, via Flickr)