I am quite a nostalgic fellow. I enjoy history and exploring the social, artistic and emotional aspects of history beyond just the facts and details. I can easily place myself in the era with only a few period prompters. When I visit the historic homes of Thomas Jefferson, Andrew Jackson, or others, my questions tend toward how the less commonly known among them would have lived. Where would the servants have walked as they went to serve the breakfast?
So, when I have an opportunity to visit a place that seems to be held in a particular time of the past, I take that opportunity with a sense of excitement.
Such is the case this morning...
Very close to the junction of Highway 6 and state road 15, there is a restaurant called the "20th Century". The current owner has had it for 37 years and it was around a long time before that.
When one enters, one can notice the bar with bar-stools that seem to be the original 1950s or 1960s equipment. The faux-wood booth tables are worn from the scrapping of plates, cups and utensils. The all glass front remains, also a construction of the 50s or 60s.
While the walls are adorned with nastalgia invoking promotional signs for " Cushman Scooters" "Dri-Gas" and others, it is easy to see that the quality of nostalgia is natural rather than created. It is as if one stepped into the twilight zone of restaurants.
I felt much at home. During the 1960s, when my Mom and I would hop Greyhound buses for Lafollette Tennessee, the bus would often stop at such restaurants. I remember those times fondly. Those bus-stop restaurants always had a swivel-rack of comic books. I would purchase one, for about ten cents, and enjoy reading it while we waited for our breakfast. I looked for the swivel-rack this morning at the 20th Century. I was brought back to current day reality when I could not find the rack.
Still, this is a great place to eat.
And by the way, the food is perfect, and the service is more so.
The address is 19964 us 6 Milford In. 46542.
Phone 574-831-4913
Hours of operation...
M-F 5:00am-10:00pm
Saturday 5:00am-2:00pm
Sunday...closed.
