Clinton in Custer County, Oklahoma — The American South (West South Central)

Route 66 Diner

Photographed By Jason Voigt, April 9, 2021

1. Route 66 Diner Marker

Inscription. The Valentine Manufacturing Company in Wichita, Kansas built Valentine Diners between 1938 and 1974. They were the only significant diner manufacturer outside the Northeast. The Valentine Diner was a small, boxy diner, which was radically different than any other manufacturers. The company produced the vast majority of factory-built diners west of the Mississippi. They had from five to ten stools around an L-shaped counter and often featured a take-out window. There were no tables and lots of time it was "standing room only"

In order to pay the $5,000 that these diners sold for, the owners were to place 10% of their daily gross income in a lock box which was situated by the front door of the diner. Each month a man from the train would come by, open the box, and send the payment to the manufacturer. The trainman was the only person that had a key to that lock box.

This diner was opened for business on Route 66 in 1956 at Shamrock, TX by M.L. Porter and his wife, Alta, and was known as the Porter House Café. It was closed in 1964.

Erected 2003 by Friends of Oklahoma Route 66 Museum, Inc.

Topics and series. This historical marker is listed in these topic lists: Industry & Commerce • Roads & Vehicles

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. In addition, it is included in the U.S. Route 66 series list. A significant historical year for this entry is 1938.

Location. 35° 30.366′ N, 98° 59.221′ W. Marker is in Clinton, Oklahoma, in Custer County. Marker is on West Gary Boulevard (Business Interstate 40) west of South Modelle Avenue, on the right when traveling west. Marker is located outside the Oklahoma Route 66 Museum. Touch for map. Marker is at or near this postal address: 2229 W Gary Blvd, Clinton OK 73601, United States of America. Touch for directions.

Other nearby markers. At least 8 other markers are within walking distance of this marker. Oklahoma Route 66 Museum, Clinton, Oklahoma (a few steps from this marker); 1948 Dodge Fuel Truck (a few steps from this marker); Route 66 Museum (within shouting distance of this marker); Clinton Drive-In (within shouting distance of this marker); Rio Siesta Motel (within shouting distance of this marker); Redland Theater (within shouting distance of this marker); Mohawk Lodge Indian Store (within shouting distance of this marker); Calmez Hotel (within shouting distance of this marker). Touch for a list and map of all markers in Clinton.

Photographed By Jason Voigt, April 9, 2021

2. Route 66 Diner Marker

Marker is mounted on the old diner.

Oklahoma Route 66 Museum image. Click for full size.

Photographed By Jason Voigt, April 9, 2021

3. Oklahoma Route 66 Museum

Marker and diner are on the grounds of the museum, on the left side.

Credits. This page was last revised on April 16, 2021. It was originally submitted on April 16, 2021, by Jason Voigt of Glen Carbon, Illinois. This page has been viewed 182 times since then and 26 times this year. Photos: 1, 2. submitted on April 16, 2021, by Jason Voigt of Glen Carbon, Illinois. 3. submitted on April 11, 2021, by Jason Voigt of Glen Carbon, Illinois.