I’ve talked before about Chenault’s, the drive-in opened in the 1940s by Rex Chenault that became THE place to be for students from nearby Whitehaven High School.
Most references to the building acknowledge its “modern” architecture, but you really have to see it to believe it. So I was glad to turn up this photo of the exterior. And even though this isn’t the greatest-quality postcard image in the world, I think it conveys the unusual design of the building.
And how could anyone driving past miss that wonderful space-age sign! The sign also tells us that this wasn’t just a basic meat-and-three restaurant or a simple burgers and fries joint. Look: They were advertising Maine lobster tails.
The building behind the restaurant looks almost like a regular house, doesn’t it? I’ll have to do some research to determine if that was indeed the Chenault family’s home.
I especially like all the old cars parked in front of the restaurant, though of course they weren’t old when the picture was taken. In this day, when “mist” or “silver” or “bronze metallic” seem to be the main offerings on car sales lots, it’s refreshing to see the pastel colors on cars of the 1950s.
