Heading north out of Keller, Texas on US 287 you can enjoy a scenic ride and make your way into the town of Decatur, Texas. Named after naval hero Stephen Decatur, the town was originally set up in 1856 and eventually was a stopover for ranchers and herders on the Chisholm Trail.
The old Eighter from Decatur Sign
By 1882, the railway came into Decatur from Fort Worth. It was apparently at that time a gambling railway worker was talking about a female from Decatur and coined the phrase an “Eighter from Decatur,” which has stuck around ever since.
Welcome to Decatur sign
Today, the peaceful little town still draws traffic from ranchers and railway folk, but also from tourists trying to relive the olden days…like me.
The old Decatur Petrified Wood Gas Station with the Texas Cafe in the backgroundSumoflam at the Petrified Wood Station
One of the really nostalgic points is the old Petrified Wood Gas Station as you come into town. In 1927 a keen businessman named E.F. Boydston purchased a former feed lot in order to build a wooden shed and a gas station. Boydston allowed people to stopover and camp there and eventually even built some cabins. As the highway was widened in the mid-1930s, Boydston added more cabins, a garage and other buildings and then made them sturdier by adding petrified wood as a facing on the buildings. The entire complex was eventually named Texas Plaza.
Texas Plaza Neon Sign in Decatur, TXNo Gas
He also built a one-room frame building next door in 1929 and called it the Texas Lunchroom. In 1935 they renamed it the Texas Cafe and faced it with the same petrified wood to match the other buildings. It is now called the Whistle Stop Cafe.
Whistle Stop Cafe in Decatur, Texas. Formerly the Texas CafeTexaco Gas Pumps at Petrified Wood StationHere’s a sign you don’t see anymore in the U.S.Another view of the Petrified Wood Station
Today the complex is a unique example of the early days of automobile tourism. I recall the 1960s and going to gas stations similar to this. I really enjoyed the nostalgia. And Decatur has taken advantage of that as there are two other nostalgic gas stations in town.
Old Sinclair Station – Decatur, TexasOld Gulf Station in Decatur, TexasOld Gulf Pump – DecaturOld Sinclair Pump in Decatur, TX
Have you seen my new book yet? “Less Beaten Paths of America: Quirky and Offbeat Roadside Attractions” is now available on Amazon!
The book is 130 pages of FULL COLOR whimsy and kitsch as I tell stories of my visits to these places all over the U.S. and Canada. Definitely was fun taking these back roads trips to quirkville and I am excited to share them with you in words and photos.
I hope you will be able to check out the book or even get it on Kindle. You can order the book here:
In 2018 I will feature a random (yet alphabetical) selection of photos I have taken from my nearly 20 years of back roads travel in the United States and Canada. I may even throw in a few random shots from other trips to Japan, Mexico and the Philippines. My theme is called America’s Back Roads: A Grab Bag of Places in Pictures.
Peculiar, Missouri
Welcome to Peculiar, MOA Peculiar Police CarA Peculiar Elementary School
Possum Trot Supper Club – Oakwood, Illinois
Possum Trot Supper Club, Oakwood, IL
Pierre Part, Louisiana
Sumoflam in Pierre Part, LAVisiting Troy Landry of Swamp People fame in Pierre Part, LA in 2014Swamp People Truck at Duffy’s Bait Shop in Pierre Part
Pound Gap, Virginia
Pound Gap Historical Sign on the Virginia/Kentucky Border
Prairie Dogs – Browning, Montana; Cactus Flat, South Dakota
A prairie dog scampers near the Camp Disappointment Monument in MontanaPrairie Dog — standing watch in Cactus FlatPrairie Dog – Cactus Flat, SD
Pal’s Sudden Service – Bristol, Tennessee
After eating Pal’s food make sure to Exercise Daily. Couldn’t help but chucklePal’s Sudden Service in Bristol, TN
Perryville Battlefield – Perryville, Kentucky
Perryville Battlefield – Perryville, KYPerryville Battlefield ReEnactmentWelcome to Perryville
Pink Elephant in DeForest, WIMartini bearing pink and white elephant pair at Hipp Nursery in Haubstadt, INThis pink elephant is in the Huntington, WV suburb of Barboursville on US 60Big pink elephant in Russellville, KY, just around the corner from the big cow with pink sunglassesNeed a Pink Elephant T-Shirt? I know where you can get one!
And then there is the Pink Elephant Car Wash – Seattle, Washington
Pink Elephant Car Wash in Seattle, Washington
Poutine – A Canadian Favorite – Paris, Ontario
Poutine – Fries, Brown Gravy and Cheese Curds -Pure yummiferousnessChomping on poutine in Paris in 2008
Portsmouth Murals – Portsmouth, Ohio
Chillicothe Street 1940s by Robert Dafford in Portsmouth, OH
Portland Head Light – Portland, Maine
Portland Head LightVisiting the beautiful lighthouse on the rocky shores of the Atlantic Ocean in Portland, Maine in 2015
Just down the road from Hell – Pinckney, Michigan
Howell Rd. to Hell – Pinckney, MI
Planet Damon Water Tower – Damon, Texas
There is Planet Hollywood and then there is Planet Damon…
Presti’s Bakery – Little Italy – Cleveland, Ohio
Prestis Bakery….the best cannoli in the world!! And some other good Italian goodiesItalian Yumminess in the case at Presti’s
Prosperity, Pennsylvania
Prosperity Post Office in PennsylvaniaHeading to Prosperity
Pain Reliever Bar – Nekoma, North Dakota
Pain Reliever Bar, Nekoma, NDInternational Pain Reliever Bar in Nekoma, ND (notice they used a New Mexico flag??)
PRHBTN Murals (there are more than 20 – here are a couple) – Lexington, Kentucky
Sumoflam at MrDHEO’s wall painting in Lexington, one of a few new PRHBTN muralsThe enormous “I Am MO” mural in the Lexington Distillery DistrictLouis Armstrong Mural by Sergio Odeith from Portugal, for PRHBTN 2015
Papa Joe’s – Crescent Junction, Utah
Papa Joe’s in Crescent Junction, UTSumoflam at Papa Joe’s in Crescent JunctionThe Scooby Doo Mystery Machine at Papa Joe’s
P’Maws Bait Shack – Pierre Part, Louisiana
P’MAWS Bait Shack in Pierre Part, LA (Notice it is SWAMP spelled backwards)Cuddling with a White Gator at P’MAWS in Pierre Part, LAP’MAWS is open 24/7
Pat’s King of Steaks – Philadelphia, Pennsylvania
Pat’s King of Steaks – Philadelphia, PAGrilling up the steaks at Pat’sBest of Philly – Pat’s King of Steaks
Puget Sound – Seattle, Washington
Seattle as seen from a boat in the Puget SoundOn the Ferry in Puget Sound
Perry Como Statues – Canonsburg, Pennsylvania
Singing Perry Como statue in downtown Canonsburg, PAPerry Como Statue in the Canonsburg McDonald’s
Fun Stuff in Portland, Oregon
Hung Far Low – Famous Chop Suey and Famous name – Portland, OregonVoodoo Doughnut – Portland, Oregon
Pheasant Bar – Winner, South Dakota
Pheasant Bar, Winner, SD
Petrified Forest National Park – Holbrook, Arizona
Sumoflam and tourists at Petrified Forest in 1983
Pinto McBean – Bow Island, Alberta, Canada
Pinto McBean statue in Bow Island, Alberta
A few Paul Bunyan guys here and there – Bemidji, Minnesota; Nitro, West Virginia; Minocqua, Wisconsin; Wentzville, Missouri
Paul Bunyan and Babe in Bemidji, MNa Big Paul Bunyan in Minocqua, WisconsinBig Paul Bunyan and his Blue Ox in Nitro, WVPaul Bunyan Muffler Man just off of the interstate in Wentzville, MO
Price Less Foods – Irvine, Kentucky
Price Less Foods in Irvine, KY
Popeye Statue – Alma, Arkansas
At the Popeye Statue in Alma, AR in 2009
Port Gibson First Presbyterian Church – Port Gibson, Mississippi
Unique Steeple of the First Presbyterian Church in Port Gibson, MS
Powder River, Wyoming
Powder River, WyomingAn old neon relic of the past, the Tumble Inn Lounge/Cafe, with a vintage neon look in Powder River, WY
Paradise Point – Scottsville, Kentucky
Paradise Point – Scottsville, KYFrom one hot dog to another…
Scenes from Paris – or four or five of them – Paris, Ontario; Paris, Kentucky; Paris, Texas; Paris, Tennessee
Paris, OntarioHomes and businesses along the river in Paris, OntarioWelcome to Paris, KentuckyParis, TexasWelcome to Paris Catfish – they too claim to be the Catfish Capital
Point Defiance Zoo – Tacoma, Washington
Point Defiance Zoo in Tacoma, WAA tiger at the Point Defiance ZooA Blue Budgie at the Point Defiance Zoo
Paul’s Hamburgers – Kansas City, Kansas
Paul’s Hamburgers – Kansas City, KansasGiant Ice Cream Cone at Paul’s Hamburgers – Kansas City, KS
Peaks to Craters Scenic Highway – Idaho
Peaks to Craters scenic byway through the mountains of central IdahoGrandview Canyon on US 93 – northern section of the Peaks to Craters Scenic Byway
Pelicans – Lake Andes, South Dakota; Galveston, Texas; Lexington, Kentucky
White Pelicans at Lake Andes in South DakotaPelicans in formation over the Gulf of Mexico in Galveston, TXA rare sighting of a White Pelican flying over Lexington in late April 2018
Plaza Theatres – Glasgow, Kentucky & Wharton, Texas
Plaza Theatre – Glasgow, KentuckyOld Plaza Theater in Wharton, TX
Artistic view of One PPG PlaceA view from below One PPG Place
Professor Market – Tremont District – Cleveland, Ohio
Professor Market wall advertisement…located in the Tremont District of Cleveland
Pochahontas, Illinois
Pochahontas, IL – “Pokey” – Home of Country Singer Gretchen Wilson (Gimme a Hell Ya!)
Plaquemine, Louisiana
Welcome to Plaquemine, LA
Pike Place Market – Seattle, Washington
Seattle’s famed Pike Place Market – what a place!Pike Place Market was packed
Penn’s Store – Gravel Switch, Kentucky
Penn’s Store SignPenn’s Store – Gravel Switch, KY
Pella, Iowa
Welcome to PellaVermeer Dutch Windmill in Pella, IA – the largest working windmill in the United StatesBuilding fronts in Pella, IA
Penguins – Omaha, Nebraska; Tacoma, Washington
Penguins at Henry Doorly Zoo in OmahaThe small penguins stand majestically at feeding time at Point Defiance Zoo in Tacoma, WA
Pheasants on the Prairie – Enchanted Highway – Regent, North Dakota
Enchanted Highway Stop #5 – Pheasants on the PrairieSumoflam at Pheasants on the Prairie
Pickle’s Place – Arco, Idaho
EAT sign at Pickle’s Place in Arco, IDPickle’s Place – Home of the “Atomic Burger”
Pete the Curler – Bemidji, Minnesota
Pete the Curler by Dale Lewis – one of 25 pieces in the 2014 Bemidji Sculpture Walk
Pork Chop Sandwiches (as seen on Andy Griffith) – Mt. Airy, North Carolina
Snappy Lunch – home of the Pork Chop SandwichCooking up the pork chops at Snappy Lunch
Old Prairie School House – Frisno, Montana
Old Prairie School House on Smith-Frisno Road west of Havre, MT. I wanted this one in black and white…
Giant Prairie Dog Statue – Cactus Flat, South Dakota
Giant Prairie DogSumoflam with the Giant Prairie Dog – Cactus Flat
Pelo’s Sundries – LeClaire, Iowa
Old neon for Pelo’s Sundries
If you like what you see, you may want to check out my book: Less Beaten Paths of America: Unique Town Names, available on Amazon. My second book, Less Beaten Paths of America: Quirky and Offbeat Roadside Attractions, will be available in late April or early May 2018. Click on the photo below for more details or to get a copy of the book.
In 2018 I will feature a random (yet alphabetical) selection of photos I have taken from my nearly 20 years of back roads travel in the United States and Canada. I may even throw in a few random shots from other trips to Japan, Mexico and the Philippines. My theme is called America’s Back Roads: A Grab Bag of Places in Pictures.
Home on the Range, North Dakota
Home on the Range sign in North Dakota
Hammering Man – Seattle, Washington
The Hammering Man by Jonathan Borofsky
Ho-Hum Motel – West Yellowstone, Montana
Ho-Hum Motel in West Yellowstone, Montana
Hillybilly Hot Dogs – Lesage, West Virginia
Yes, they do have a Website!!Order Rite Cheer at Hillbilly Hot Dogs in Lesage, WV
Happy, Kentucky
Happy in Happy, KY
Hell, Michigan
Direction to Hell from Pickney, MIWelcome to Hell
The Great Hodag – Rhinelander, Wisconsin
With the famed Hodag in Rhinelander, WI
Himeji Castle – Himeji, Japan
Visiting the famed Himeji Castle in 1987
Harlan Sanders Cafe – Corbin, Kentucky
Sanders Cafe in Corbin, KY. Birthplace of the KFC Special RecipeThe Colonel and Me at Sanders Cafe
Hipp Nursery – Haubstadt, Indiana
Martini bearing pink and white elephant pair at Hipp Nursery in Haubstadt, IN
Harry Truman Mural – Independence, Missouri
A mural of Harry Truman on a Law Office in Independence, MO painted by David McClain. Truman was born in Independence
Horsetail Falls – Multnomah County, Oregon
Horsetail Falls in Oregon
Hung Dong Supermarket – Houston, Texas
Of course, you can always come across unique shop names, like this one in Houston. I hear they have great sausages!!
Apple Valley Hillbilly Garden and Toyland – Calvert City, Kentucky
Hillbilly Garden Car – Calvert City, KYSigns at Hillbilly Garden
Henry’s Rabbit Ranch – Staunton, Illinois
Henry’s Rabbit Ranch – Staunton, IllinoisRich Henry and Sumoflam with their rabbit at Henry’s Ra66it Ranch in Staunton, IL
Hiawatha Statue – Ironwood, Michigan
Hiawatha Stands 50 feet tall in Ironwood, MI
Heini’s Cheese Shop – Charm, Ohio
Heini’s Cheese Shop – Charm, Ohio
Home of Sliced Bread – Chillicothe, Missouri
Chillicothe, Missouri – The Home of Sliced Bread
Hell’s Half-Acre – Powder River, Wyoming
Hell’s Half Acre Sign in Wyoming off of US Route 20/26Hell’s Half Acre in Wyoming
Sam Houston Statue – Huntsville, Texas
77 Foot Tall Sam Houston Statue in Huntsville, Texas
Hope, Arkansas
Made it to Hope, AR
Horse Farm Country – Central Kentucky
Horses graze in the fall on a Woodford County farm near Versailles.Mare and foal jaunt on a farm in Lexington, KY
Hurts Donut – Frisco, Texas
Hurts Donut in Frisco, TexasWanna Hurts Donut?
Hyak Ferry – Bremerton, Washington
Riding the Hyak from Bremerton Terminal in WashingtonA flock of seagulls on the deck of the Hyak
Harvey Jackson Mural – Kemmerer, Wyoming
Harvey Jackson mural on a corner in Kemmerer, WY
Hershey, Pennsylvania
My children at Hershey Chocolate World in 1990sGranddaughter Joselyn gives Grampz a Hershey Kiss at Hershey’s Chocolate World
Hung Far Low Chinese – Portland, Oregon
Hung Far Low – Famous Chop Suey and Famous name – Portland, Oregon
Hurricane, West Virginia
Hurricane, West VirginiaA Wall Mural in Hurricane, WV
Horse Capital of the World – Versailles, Kentucky
A mural on a water tower in Versailles, Kentucky
Hamtramck Disneyland – Hamtramck, Michigan
Windmills and Whirlygigs at Hamtramck Disneyland in DetroitA menagerie of oddball and offbeat things all over the roof, side of the house and the yard – Hamtramck Disneyland
Hutch’s on the Beach – Hamilton, Ontario
Hutch’s on the Beach – Hamilton, Ontario
Hopi Indian Reservation – Walpi, Arizona
While working in Arizona I made over 100 trips to Walpi on the Hopi Indian Reservation in Northern Arizona
Hippos of Hutto, Texas
Greetings from Hutto, home of the HipposOne of the many Hippos in Hutto, TX
Hells Canyon – Oregon
Hells Canyon Scenic Byway, OregonHells Canyon in northeast Oregon is actually wider and deeper than the Grand Canyon
Hippie Joe’s Gas – Upper Lake, California
Hippie Joe’s Gas in Upper Lake, CA
History of the Niagara Peninsula – Welland, Ontario
A portion of a massive mural on the side of a shopping mall. Entitled “History of the Niagara Peninsula” by Heinz Gaugel
Hi-Line Theatre – Rudyard, Montana
Hi-Line Theatre in Rudyard, Montana – operating since 1949
Hatch, New Mexico
A&W Family in Hatch, NMA fiberglass Uncle Sam in Hatch, NM with a famous Hatch Green Chile in hand
Hop Bottom, West Virginia
Hop Bottom, WV
Hot Box Cafe – Toronto, Ontario
Hot Box Cafe – Toronto, Ontario
Hugo, Oklahoma
Welcome to Historic Hugo, OKA building made of petrified wood in Hugo
If you like what you see, you may want to check out my book: Less Beaten Paths of America: Unique Town Names, available on Amazon. My second book, Less Beaten Paths of America: Quirky and Offbeat Roadside Attractions, will be available in late April or early May 2018. Click on the photo below for more details or to get a copy of the book.
