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ORANGES |
The Orange Inn [gone]
somewhere, Route 66 |
Giant Oranges
Sparta, WI |
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The Orange Inn was a giant orange-shaped roadside stand from the 1920s. This one probably offered fresh-squeezed orange juice to passing motorists. Oversized fruits and other objects were a common roadside phenomenon in the 1920s and 1930s.
These Sparta Oranges are ready for shipping at FAST which manufactures fiberglass statues.
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Mammoth Orange
Fairmead, CA [now Chowchilla, CA] |
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This Mammoth Orange was built around 1952 and installed in Chowchilla, CA. It was moved to Fairmead, CA in 1954. It was one of several giant orange snack bars along Route 99, with the first one built in Tracy, CA in the 1920s. The same owners had another giant orange nearby, also in Fairmead, known as Fast Eddies. That stand was less profitable and it was demolished in the mid-1990s.
In 2008, this stand closed when highway expansion construction made getting to it virtually impossible. Shortly after the above photos were taken, the City of Chowchilla bought the structure with plans to install it downtown near its original location. It is now being restored. This 10' tall giant orange is made of aluminum, wood and stucco. It has always been open in the back. For more, see these websites: 1 and 2.
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Mammoth Orange
Redfield, AR |
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The Mammoth Orange, aka the Orange Cafe, was built in 1965 with additions to the side coming later. It was inspired by the Mammoth Orange in Fairmead, CA described above. It is still owned by the original owner and features burgers, other fast food, and ice cream. They used to sell fresh-squeezed orange juice but it got too expensive. In 2003, when these photos were taken, the Orange needed a lot of TLC. From 2004-2005, the roof was repaired and it was repainted (bottom photos). For more, see this website.
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Bono's
Historic Orange
Fontana, CA |
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Bono's Historic Orange was built in 1936 as an orange juice stand about three miles from is present location. In the mid-1990s, the stand was falling apart and nearly demolished. It was donated to the Historical Society and moved to the Wal-Mart parking lot. In 1997, it was moved again - next to Bono's Restaurant and Deli. The restaurant has been closed for at least several years. The orange has not been used for anything, however, it has been well-maintained.
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Giant Orange
Eau Gallie, FL |
Giant Orange
Mount Dora, FL |
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The Eau Gallie Orange is just north of Melbourne, FL. It was built in 1967, made of concrete and steel, and is 15' in diameter. It was used for a few years as an orange juice stand for tourists, manned by the Eau Gallie Chamber of Commerce.
There was once another Giant Orange in Melbourne. It was built in 1933 and was 14' in diameter. It served as a fruit stand.
The Mount Dora Orange was built in 1973. It is 14' in diameter and made of concrete. The Orange was originally used a fruit stand but has been vacant since 1984. It stands pretty far back from the road next to McNamara's Antiques.
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Eli's Orange World
Kissimmee, FL |
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Eli's Orange World is the world's largest orange. The fiberglass-domed building was constructed in 1973 and is 92' wide and 60' tall. It has a huge selection of fruit and souvenirs. Orange World appeared in the 1996 movie "Marvin's Room". The main characters are driving and make a turn to the beach just behind Orange World. In reality, Kissimmee is nowhere near the ocean. Until the mid-1980s, there were orange groves behind Orange World. Property values have since skyrocketed due to not-so-faraway Disney World and Universal Studios. For more, see their website.
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Orange Ring
Haines City, FL |
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The Orange Ring is a huge fruit and souvenir stand. I suspect the building is from the 1950s/1960s. I don't know if it ever had an orange dome roof like Eli's Orange World (above). This area has seen its share of hurricanes so it's possible, if it had one, it blew off. The Orange Ring has another location in Fort Pierce, FL but I don't think the building is shaped like this one. For more, see these websites: 1, 2, and 3.
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More Giant Oranges:
George's Orange (Dixon, CA)
Big Orange: 1, 2 (Lemon Cove, CA)
Mark's Hot Dogs: 1, 2 (San Jose, CA)
Joe's Giant Orange Cafe (Shasta Lake, CA)
orange stand: 1, 2 (Williams, CA)
various in CA
various in the U.S.
Orange Julep: 1, 2, 3 (Montreal, Quebec; Canada)
Orange Bar (Croatia)
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