Southern View in Sangamon County, Illinois — The American Midwest (Great Lakes)
Cozy Dog Drive In
"The GI Hot Dog"
Photographed by Jason Voigt, August 8, 2025
1. Cozy Dog Drive In Marker
Enjoy the "original" deep fried hot dog on a stick. Ed Waldmire invented the Cozy Dog while stationed in Amarillo, Texas, during World War II. Originally called "crusty cur," the battered hot dogs were a hit with the GIs at the airfield. In 1950, the Cozy Dog Drive In opened on Route 66. Three generations of the Waldmire family have been serving their famous dogs here ever since.
(photo captions:)
·Returning home from the war, Ed opened his first Cozy Dog stand on June 16, 1946, at the Lake Springfield Beach House. Don Strand, a college friend, created the special batter recipe that would stick to a deep fried hot dog. A Cozy Dog sold for 15 cents.
·In the summer of 1946, Ed opened three Cozy Dog stands at the Illinois State Fair, promoting them as "the GI Hot Dog." They were a hit!
·Ed opened the Cozy Dog Drive In on 66 in 1950, just next door to your left. They shared the building with a Dairy Queen. Buz Waldmire, Ed's son, and his wife Sue built the current Drive In here, which opened in 1996.
·Ed's wife, Ginny, came up with the name "Cozy Dog" and drew the famous logo of two hot dogs embracing. The postcard above was drawn by Bob Waldmire, Ed's son, a well-known freelance artist who specialized in Route 66 scenes.
Erected by
this page online
Topics and series. This historical marker is listed in these topic lists: Industry & Commerce • Roads & Vehicles. In addition, it is included in the U.S. Route 66 series list. A significant historical date for this entry is June 16, 1946.
Location. 39° 45.74′ N, 89° 38.924′ W. Marker is in Southern View, Illinois, in Sangamon County. It is on South 6th Street (Business Interstate 55) 0.4 miles south of East Linton Avenue, on the right when traveling south. Touch for map. Marker is at or near this postal address: 2935 S 6th St, Springfield IL 62703, United States of America. Touch for directions.
Regionally, this marker is in Central Illinois and in Greater Springfield. It is also in the American Midwest and in the Corn Belt. Globally, it is in North America, the Western Hemisphere, the Western World, and the Anglosphere. Historically, it finds itself in what was once the territory of the Mississippian Culture and also the Northwest Territory.
Other nearby markers. At least 8 other markers are within 3 miles of this marker, measured as the crow flies: Cozy Dog Drive In, Springfield, Illinois (here, next to this marker); Springfield, Illinois (within shouting distance of this marker); Springfield Home for the Friendless / Family Service Center (approx. 1.7 miles away); Turney House (approx. 2 miles away); Howard K. Weber House (approx. 2 miles away); The Bressmer-Baker House (approx. 2.1 miles away); Edwin Watts Southwind Park (approx. 2.1 miles away); Selvaggio Historic Arches (approx. 2.1 miles away). Touch for a list and map of all markers in Southern View.
Another marker is no longer nearby. Historic Route 66 Illinois (was here, next to this marker but has been replaced with another marker now near it).
Photographed by Jason Voigt, August 8, 2025
2. Cozy Dog Drive In Marker
Located at the entrance
