Miss Florence Diner facts for kids
Quick facts for kids |
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Miss Florence Diner
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 Location in Massachusetts
Location in the United States
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| Location | 99 Main St., Florence village, Northampton, Massachusetts |
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| Area | less than one acre |
| Architect | Worcester Lunch Car Company; Agnoli Sign Company |
| MPS | Diners of Massachusetts MPS |
| NRHP reference No. | 99001123 |
| Added to NRHP | September 22, 1999 |
The Miss Florence Diner is a famous old-fashioned restaurant located at 99 Main Street in the Florence part of Northampton, Massachusetts. It was built way back in 1941 by a company called the Worcester Lunch Car Company. This diner is one of only four like it in the city. When it was added to the National Register of Historic Places in 1999, the same family had owned it since it first opened!
The Story of the Miss Florence Diner
The Miss Florence Diner sits right in the middle of Florence village. It's about 2 miles (3.2 km) west of downtown Northampton. You can find it on the north side of Main Street, just east of Maple Street.
What Makes It Look Special?
This diner has a unique L-shape. Both parts of the "L" have cool rounded roofs, like a barrel. On top of the roof, there's a flat wall called a parapet. The diner's name is written there in a cool, old-school style called "Moderne lettering."
Right at the corner of the L-shape, there's a special sign that looks like a chevron. It also shows the diner's name. The outside of the diner is mostly covered in shiny enamel panels. Inside, you'll see wood, tile, and more enamel.
The main entrance is now through a brick entryway. This entryway also has a rounded, shingled roof. This roof extends over the steps leading up to the door. The diner is connected at the back to a house. This house was turned into another restaurant space.
How the Diner Started
The Miss Florence Diner first opened its doors in 1941. It was started by Maurice Alexander and his wife, Pauline Florence (Matusewicz) Alexander. They actually had a different diner across the street at first. Later that same year, they moved into what is now the main part of the Miss Florence Diner.
The Worcester Lunch Car Company built this diner. They also helped make it bigger in 1949. That's when they added the L-shape! They added another section on the left side. They also added four more sections on the right side. These new sections were placed at a right angle to the main diner building.
The Alexanders lived in the house right behind the diner. In 1959, they changed their house into a separate restaurant. Then, they connected the diner and the house together.
