Old Riverton Store
| The Old Riverton Store on old Route 66
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It's a gathering, meeting place for those who have grown up on or near Route 66 and travelers from everywhere New York, Utah, Canada, Germany, Japan, France it's a fun place where you can relax with coffee at a table on the Produce Porch, where you can make new friends while you experience and enjoy a glimpse into the past.
Old Riverton Store on National Register of Historic Places.
by V. Hopkins
Leo Williams and his daughter, Jane Marie, in front of the store in the early years |
The current building replaced one destroyed by a tornado in 1923, where Lora had served lunches and sold groceries while Leo worked at the Empire District Electric Co.,
The existing building originally had an open front porch, but the present closed in proch replaced that in 1933. It is one story, built of hollow, dark red bricks on a concrete slab foundation.
The interior of the Williams' Store in the 1930's. The tables and chairs at the front show where customers enjoyed their barbecue sandwiches and home made chili. |
In the 1940's the Williams family moved their residence to the house next door to the store. Today the front part which was originally the living room, houses Route 66 merchandise and souvenirs.
There were gasoline pumps in front of the store for many years, leased first to Texaco and later to Standard Oil. The store itself carried everything from groceries to general merchandise-shoes, clothes, milk, fresh meat, a wide variety of goods. Leo also barbecued beef and venison in a pit behind the store and served sandwiches to customers. Lora served her speical recipe of chili.
Customers were mostly local people, but the store also played an important role on Route 66 as the traffic increased through the late 20's, 30's, 40's and 50's.
There were originally two outhouses back of the store. One now remains, painted white and a thin moon silhouette cut into the door. The papers concerning the property say, ..this resource is contributing to the nomination.
Leo and Lora Williams ran the store until 1945 when they leased the grocery to Lloyd Paxson. Leo died in 1948, so when the Paxson lease expired, Lora returned to the store and operated it until about 1970.
Joe and Isabell Eisler of Allen, Texas, purchased the business in 1973. It has continued to operate as a grocery and deli, just as it had, with very little changes in it's decor. The store was managed for the Eisler's by their nephew, Scott Nelson. Scott purchased the store March 31, 2011 from the estate of the Eisler's. Scott is the President of the Route 66 Association of Kansas.
All sandwiches come wih choice of Cheese...
TO ORDER
Call: (620)848-3330.
Nothing like a Sandwich for a speedy Treat!
Come in and ask for our Daily Deli Sandwich & Fountain Special. Try our sandwiches and you will come back for more. The folks at our Deli aim to please.
Meats: Bologna, Chopped Ham, Liver Chese Ham & Cheese Loaf, Baked Ham, Cooked Salami, Pickle Loaf, Old Fashioned Loaf, Pepper Loaf, Roast Beef, Turkey, Genoa Salami, Smoked Salami,Smoked Turkey.
Cheeses:American Cheese Bacon Cheese, Cheddar, Hot Pepper, Munster, Smoked Sharp &Super Sharp (25 cents extra), Swiss & Marble Jack
Canned Vegetables, Soups & Fruits - Canned Tuna - Salmon & Chicken
Prepared Box Mixes, and Staples. Oranges, Apples & Bananas
Eisler Bros. has a choice selection of Healty Plants to pick from in every season...
Hanging Baskets -Pansies - Petunias - Geraniums -Tomato plants - Cabbage - Boccoli - Bluk Seed - Pkg. Seeds - Pots Potting Soil & Plant Food.
At Eisler Bros. we care....and plants that are cared for show it!
Did you know we also have Copy & Fax service?
We Welcome Master Card, Visa, Discover, & American Express
Remember...
Check out Eisler Bros. on Rt. 66
Always perfect for the special gift. Here at Eisler Bros. there is a treasure trove of unique Gifts, Imports, Crafts, Kansas Handicrafts and souviners as well as Historic Route 66 Memorabilia. Historic Route 66 MEMORABILIA
Route 66 Souvenirs,
CRAFTS UNIQUE GIFTS IMPORTS
CHILDRENS
T-Shirts
(S-M-L) New Purses &
Tote Bags
66 Post Cards
Greeting CardsPeanut Clusters
& Orange Slices66 Crista
Teddy Bears 66 Jackets
CapsMagnets
Books
Signs
MapsWatches
Clocks
Caps
Pens
MugsROUTE 66 VIDEOS 66 Car Plates T-Shirts
Jackets
BooksTotes
Billfolds
WatchesKansas Souvenirs
Wizard of Oz Ornaments
Kansas Vision Cards are always Welcome!
For whosoever shall do the will of my Father which is in heaven, the same is my brother, and sister, and mother. Matthew 12:10 For both he that sanctifieth and they who are sanctified are all of one: for which cause he is not ashamed to call them brethren...
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