Thursday, October 8, 2015

The Pueblo – Part 2

Half-page ad from the May 23, 1928 Lorain Times-Herald
The Pueblo opened on May 23, 1928 to great fanfare. In fact, the Lorain Times-Herald devoted several pages that day to the grand opening. After all, a new barbecue restaurant designed to look exactly like an old Spanish mission – and located near Lorain, Ohio – was news.

Mr. and Mrs. F. J. McFadden designed, built and owned the restaurant. The article below, which appeared on the first page of the May 23, 1928 special section, tells the whole story behind the business, and how they came to open it.

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PUBLIC INVITED TO INSPECT NEW SANDWICH SHOP
Spanish Style Structure Opposite Lorain Country Club One of Most Magnificent in Ohio; 10-Piece Band to Play for Three-Day Opening

After seven months of thorough construction, "The Pueblo," most magnificent barbecue sandwich shoppe in Lorain county and one of the most beautiful in Ohio, opens Wednesday evening and will continue its formal opening through Thursday and Friday.

"The Pueblo" is situated just opposite the Lorain country club at Stop 109, one mile west of Lorain on the Lake-rd. Mr. and Mrs. F. J. McFadden are the proprietors and have taken up their residence on the second floor of the structure.

The building was designed by McFadden, one of Lorain's leading architects for the past nine years. The idea was born in his mind during a trip through the south west last winter. While down in the southern extremity of California, Mr. and Mrs. McFadden stayed at a pueblo hotel for a week and from there came the majority of ideas which are incorporated in "The Pueblo."

Barbecue sandwiches, salads, hot and cold sandwiches and fountain service will be rendered at all hours according to McFadden. Special music will be presented on the three opening nights. A ten piece orchestra will entertain guests. Throughout the remainder of the year entertainment will be furnished by radio and orthophonic victrola.

One of the features of the cuisine is barbecue chicken. The chickens are roasted over the barbecue coals and may be taken home by the purchaser. The barbecue building is situated 30 feet from "The Pueblo." This is most modern in design and one of the most efficient on the market. The machinery is electrically operated and the barbecue is self-basting. The grease is dripped onto a pan which rotates and pours its contents over the meat continuously to keep the roast fresh, juicy and tender.

Ten or twelve girls and young men will be in "The Pueblo" to serve patrons constantly. Girls will be dressed in the bright colored garments of sunny Spain. An experienced caterer will be in charge of the kitchen.

"The Pueblo" has a capacity of 70 persons. Booths, capable of seating from four to six persons, line the west walls of the interior with several tables along the east side. There is also counter service. The kitchen is at the rear of the barbecue shoppe.

In the front to either side are situated ladies and gentlemen's rest rooms.

The building was completed at a cost of more than $25,000 according to McFadden and all architectural work was done by the owner. It was started in October, 1927. McFadden maintains offices at the Black River Lumber company, 28th-st and Fulton-rd.

The building is of two-story type with full basement. It has dimensions of 32 feet by 56 feet. The outer walls are constructed of gyplap or fireproof material covered with three coats of California stucco, the outer coat of which is in three colors, blue, brown and ivory. The entire first floor is devoted to the dining room and kitchen while the upper story comprises living quarters for the McFadden family.

The heating plant, an American radiator vapor system, is in the basement. The most modern plumbing and electrical work is installed in "The Pueblo."

Two highpowered flood lights of 4,000 watt are on two poles in front of the establishment. When lighted at night they give the barbecue a daylight appearance. They also light the surrounding parking space which can handle an unlimited number of automobiles.

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Another page of the Times-Herald that day included a photo of the Pueblo’s owners.

Next: The Navajo Room

8 comments:

Wireless.Phil said...

"opposite the Lorain country club"?

Lorain Country Club is on Kobe Road (FoxCreek Golf and Rackett, 5445 Beavercrest Dr, Lorain, OH 44053)

Sorry, but I don't remember the building, do you know the year it was torn down?

Wireless.Phil said...

Also the newspaper copy and news on the right about a Photo Radio replacing the telegraph, yet near the end it says it's a different process than television.

If one could send television, then they had radio before it and wouldn't need telegraph. I'm guessing photo radio is a fax machine? If so, it's odd that it would come after television?

Wireless.Phil said...

Photo Radio isn't a fax machine.
The first fax machine was invented by a brilliant Scottish clockmaker named Alexander Bain who sent the world's first picture-by-wire using analog telegraph technology in 1842.

So now I'm really confused and will have to dig deeper into this photo radio.

Wireless.Phil said...

What an exaggeration in the news release on the Photo Radio.
Actually called the "Ray-Foto".

Could transmit several hundred miles, Paris is a lot further.

August 14, 1928
The first attempt to transmit a picture from an airplane to a radio broadcasting station anywhere in the world was made in Philadelphia on Tuesday, August 14, 1928. It took place at the Philadelphia Airport (now called Philadelphia International Airport) which in 1928 was located on Island Road just below Tinicum Avenue in Southwest Philly.

The picture was that of Charles Lindbergh. The radio outlet was WFI (now WFIL) which was owned by the Strawbridge & Clothier Department Store, and it was the destination or "reception" point. While people at the radio could see the features of Lindbergh from time to time, a defective generator on the aircraft prevented a complete picture at the "receiving" end.
www.broadcastpioneers.com/1928.html

Dan Brady said...

Hi Phil,
The original Lorain Country Club (another long-delayed post on this blog) was indeed down there by Lake Road. The clubhouse (which burned down in December 1954) was on the north side of the road east of the undercut and the course itself was on the south side of the highway. When you drive around the Sherwood Allotment with its winding lanes, you’re actually driving where much of the golf course used to be.

Until I get around to my post, you can learn more about the Country Club here on the Lake Shore Rail Maps website:

http://www.lakeshorerailmaps.com/lorain_page_three.html

Wireless.Phil said...

They say the RR undergrade was buit in 1926? I somehow remember how bad the intersection between 21St an Lake Road was, how is that possible?

Was road work done later past the underpass?

I did find the old Lorain Country Club, thanks.

Wireless.Phil said...

I remember there was a restaurant/bar west of Oak Point Rd on old Lake Rd,but it burned down before I ever got inside it, back when I was somewhere between 18 the 22 years old, I was born in 51.

Drew Penfield said...

The railroad undergrade was built long before 1926. In fact, I have been unable to find out exactly how old it is, only that it was already there in 1901 when the Lake Shore Electric was built. The LSE had to make their own cut under the railroad next to Lake Road. The bridges over it were rebuilt a couple times over the years, with the present arrangement having been built in the mid 50's.