Skee's Diner facts for kids
Quick facts for kids |
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Skee's Diner
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| Location | Currently unknown, likely in or near Torrington, Connecticut |
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| Area | less than one acre |
| Built | 1944 |
| Architect | Jerry O'Mahony, Inc. |
| Architectural style | Diner |
| NRHP reference No. | 02000912 |
| Added to NRHP | September 06, 2002 |
Skee's Diner is a very old and special diner located in Torrington, Connecticut. For a while, it was also called Jude's Place. This diner was likely built around 1920 by the Jerry O'Mahony Diner Company, a famous company that made diners. People think it's the oldest diner from that company still in Connecticut! In 2002, it was added to the National Register of Historic Places, which means it's an important historical building. In 2013, the Torrington Historic Preservation Trust moved the diner to fix it up. They plan to open it again in a new spot.
Contents
What Does Skee's Diner Look Like?
Skee's Diner is a long building, about 11 feet (3.4 meters) wide and 30 feet (9.1 meters) long. It has a rounded roof, like a barrel. The diner is made from metal and wood.
Entrances and Windows
You can enter the diner from either end. There's also a special entrance in the middle of the long front side. This middle entrance also has a rounded roof. Along the front, there are many single windows. Above these windows, you can see decorative arched panels. The roof is made of special wooden boards and covered with rolled asphalt.
Inside the Diner
When you step inside, you'll see some of the original design. The floor has black and green ceramic tiles. There's a long counter made of tan marble. This counter has seventeen stools where people could sit and eat. There are also built-in display cases, probably for showing off food or treats.
History of Skee's Diner
Experts believe this diner was made around 1920. It was built by the Jerry O'Mahony Diner Company from Elizabeth, New Jersey. This company was a very important builder of diners between the 1910s and 1955.
Moving to Torrington
The diner was first located in Old Saybrook. In 1944, three men bought it and moved it to Torrington. Moving it helped them get around rules about new buildings during wartime. People believe it's the oldest O'Mahony diner in Connecticut.
New Owners and Names
At first, the diner was called Rudy's, named after one of the three owners. It was placed on land rented from the Church of St. Maron. Soon after, Tony Cisnowski and his brother Edmund bought the diner. Tony's nickname was "Skee," and that's how the diner got its famous name. They ran the diner until 1975.
After that, Judith Belmonte bought the diner. She kept the name Skee's but also called it "Jude's Place" for a while. Eventually, the church bought the diner. They rented it out to other people to run. The diner finally closed its doors for good in 2002.
Restoration and Future Plans
After being empty for several years, the Torrington Historic Preservation Trust bought Skee's Diner. In April 2013, the diner was carefully moved from its spot on Main Street. The plan is to fix it up and make it look new again. Then, it will be reopened in a different location for everyone to enjoy.
