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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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Joe's Giant Orange Cafe
Shasta Lake, CA |
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The giant orange at Joe's Giant Orange Cafe was built in the mid-1940s and was previously located on US99 near Redding, CA. For more, see this website.
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orange stand
Williams, CA |
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This abandoned orange stand is located on old Route 99.
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Mark's Hot Dogs
San Jose, CA |
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Mark's Hot Dogs opened in 1936. Mark's moved to a different spot in San Jose in 1947. It is not clear whether this 15' tall concrete orange shaped stand was built in 1936 or 1947. Mark's orange moved again in 2003 to its present location. For more, see these websites: 1, 2, and 3.
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Giant Orange
Melbourne, FL |
Giant Orange
Mount Dora, FL |
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The Melbourne Orange 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.
I believe there was once another Giant Orange in Melbourne that served as a fruit stand. It was built in 1933 and was 14' in diameter. There is the possibility that this might be the same as the existing giant orange. If so, I'm not sure which information is correct.
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 |
juice stand
Miami, 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.
The Miami juice stand is located in front of the Vagabond Market which was formerly the Vagabond Motel. When the stand is open, it sells juice from Bob Roth's New River Groves, based in Davie, FL. This giant orange appears to be a modern construction. For more, see this website.
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Orange Ring
Haines City, FL |
Giant Orange
Starke, 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.
The Starke Orange is a converted giant golf ball. It has been in front of Kings Kountry Produce since around 2007.
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Restaurant Chez Dan
Saint-Jean-sur-Richelieu, QC |
Gibeau Orange Julep
Montréal, QC |
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Restaurant Chez Dan might have been inspired by Montreal's Orange Julep stand. I'd love to know the history of this place.
The Gibeau Orange Julep, also known as the Big Orange, was built by Hermas Gibeau in 1942. The structure was rebuilt in the mid-1960s when the road it's on was widened. This larger, fiberglass orange is 40' in diameter. The Orange Julep drink is similar to that produced by Orange Julius. Both companies developed their foamy orange drinks in the 1920s. It's not clear which came first. Another company in the States preceded them both: Howel's Orange Julep was developed in 1912. For more, see these websites: 1, 2, 3, 4, and 5.
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This is the original Gibeau Orange Julep location. It opened around 1932. I don't know if the neon sign is still lit at night. I believe there might have been a third location at one time. For more, see this website.
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