A&W Drive-In Highway Sign, circa 1955

01

Artifact Overview

Roy W. Allen ran a small walk-up root beer stand in California, then partnered with his employee Frank Wright. Together, "A" and "W" opened three subsequent root beer stands, then began selling franchises. By the 1930s, A & W's had taken the form of drive-ins -- among the country's earliest restaurants of that type. This sign beckoned customers from the highway.

Artifact Details

Artifact

Shop sign

Date Made

circa 1955

Creator Notes

Made by Impact Lamp Company, Patterson, California.

Location

Not on exhibit to the public.

Object ID

87.73.1

Credit

From the Collections of The Henry Ford. Gift of Rodney D. Kraft.

Material

Metal

Color

White (Color)
Orange (color)
Brown

Dimensions

Diameter: 60 in
Width: 12 in
Weight: 150 lbs (confirmed CMD)

Inscriptions

On label: IMPACT LAMP COMPANY/ P.O. BOX 426/ PATTERSON, CALIFORNIA