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White Castle

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White Tower Restaurants were inspired by the White Castle chain. The first White Castle opened in 1921. The first White Tower opened in 1926 in Milwaukee, WI. They both had white castle-like buildings. White Towers were built in Chicago, Cleveland, Detroit, Philadelphia, Pittsburgh, New York, Boston and other large cities. By 1948, the chain had about 250 locations nationwide. I don't believe there are any White Tower restaurants still using the name. Meanwhile, White Castle now has more than 380 locations.

For more about White Tower, see these websites: 1, 2, 3, and 4. For more about White Castle, see these websites: 1, 2, 3, and 4. There are also a couple great books about these chains: White Towers and Selling 'em by the Sack: White Castle and the Creation of American Food.

former White Castle
Detroit, MI
This former White Castle was built in 1929. In the 1930s, it became Motts Burgers. Many years later, the name was changed to Motz's Burgers which is what it is known as today.

former White Castle
Minneapolis, MN
This former White Castle, also known as White Castle #8, was built in 1936. It has been home to Castle Jewelers since at least 2002. The design was inspired by Chicago's Water Tower. The building is contructed of rolled steel and is covered with porcelain enamel panels. This was one of the chain's few prefabricated and portable buildings. It was moved in 1983 and 1986. The structure is listed on the the National Register of Historic Places. For more, see these websites: 1, 2, and 3.

former White Castle
Orient, OH (now Rolla, MO)
This former White Castle was installed at a private home when these photos were taken in 2009. The owner has a collection of other buildings that were moved here as well. There is a blacksmith shop, a church, a gas station, a railroad depot and a general store. This White Castle building was originally located in Columbus, OH and was moved here in 1986. It has many original fixtures inside. In 2010, it was sold and moved to a private collection in Rolla, MO. I believe this building and the one in Minneapolis described above are the only two White Castles of this style left.

White Castle Headquarters International
Columbus, OH
The White Castle Headquarters International building pays tribute to its restaurant design with these porcelain enamel steel panels, stainless steel details, and a central tower. In 1934, White Castle established the Porcelain Steel Building Company in Columbus to produce the steel panels and fixtures for its restaurants. This building has been updated over the years. For more, see this website.

White Castle
Columbus, OH
This White Castle was built in 1958 and significantly remodeled in 1999. I have never seen another sign like this. I don't know if it was mass-produced and this is the last of its kind or if it was built during the remodeling.

More White Castles:
former White Castle: 1, 2 (Chicago, IL)
White Castle (Wichita, KS) [gone]

White Tower Main Eateries Page