The Coffee Pot (Roanoke, Virginia) facts for kids
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The Coffee Pot
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 Location in Virginia
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| Location | 2902 Brambleton Avenue SW, Roanoke, VA |
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| Area | less than one acre |
| Built | 1936 |
| Architectural style | Rustic |
| NRHP reference No. | 96000575 |
Quick facts for kids Significant dates |
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| Added to NRHP | May 31, 1996 |
The Coffee Pot is a famous old building in Roanoke, Virginia. It's special because it looks like a giant coffee pot! This unique building is listed on the National Register of Historic Places. It was finished in 1936. The Coffee Pot is a great example of "novelty architecture". This means it's designed to look like something fun or unusual. Today, it's the only original "roadhouse" still open in the Roanoke Valley. A roadhouse is a place where travelers can stop to eat, drink, and sometimes enjoy music.
The Coffee Pot's Story
The Coffee Pot was built in 1936. It was first located in Roanoke County, Virginia. Later, in 1943, that area became part of Roanoke City. It was originally built by Clifton and Irene Kefauver. They planned for it to be a gas station and a tea room. But soon after, it became a roadhouse.
Cool Building Design
The building itself looks a bit like a log home. It has vertical logs on all four sides. When it was first built, it was the first business travelers would see when entering Roanoke from the south. The giant coffee pot on the roof is about 15 feet (4.6 meters) tall. It's red with a white spout and top. In the past, steam used to rise from the coffee pot's spout! This steam came from a furnace inside the building. It made the coffee pot look like it was really brewing.
A Place for Music
Since 1937, The Coffee Pot has been open almost all the time. It was always known as The Coffee Pot. But for a short time, from 1960 to 1963, it was called "Joe's Ranchhouse Restaurant." Over the years, many famous musicians have played there. Some of these include Willie Nelson, Richie Havens, and Ritchie Valens. Many local bands also played there often. Because so many big names have performed at The Coffee Pot, some people call it "the biggest small stage in the South."
