Join Us On The Road

Kansas

September 2005 .............

Soda Fountains of Southeast Kansas: In the July issue of Family Motor Coach Magazine there was an article about the Old-fashioned Soda Fountains in Kansas. On a recent trip we stopped at some, which as it turned out didn't do us much good. One was closed, as the lady that ran it had passed away, and the two others we stopped at were closed because it was Monday. We did, however have some adventures along the way.

Yates Center: Situated in SE Kansas at the crossroads of US highways 54 & 75, founded in 1875 as the site for the county seat. The town holds the distinction of having been selected as the county seat before there was a house on the town site or an inhabitant within its boundaries. The land was donated by Abner Yates and it's in the geographic center of Woodson County. Thus the name - Yates Center. The courthouse square was placed on the National Register of Historic Places in 1986.

Frannie's Restaurant: On the Southesat corner of the town square, on the second floor of a restored 100 year old building, you will find Frannie's restaurant. You can't call ahead because there is no phone. Frannie started the restaurant to help pay her husbands medical bills, she serves one meal a day and the cost is $1.00. If you want homemade pie (there are usually 12 plus pies to choose from), that will cost you another dollar. If you only want drinks, a cup of coffee or tea costs a dime. She has a modern cash register, but it's not plugged in. The drawer is open (held open by a clothes pin) and you pay for your meal and make your own change. Frannies has been on NBC Nightly News with Tom Brokaw, CBS News, and has been written up in many magazines. By the way, the food was great. 2009 - The resuaurant is closed, Frannie fell and hurt her shoulder, she is getting better but the resuaurent will not reopen.

Frannies

Steiners Sundries: We're still in Yates Center, at one of the old soda fountains , unfortunately closed now because the owner passed away. We found her son in the barber shop down the street and he was nice enough to let us in, his brother now owns it and is making it a museum. Pictures below, the soda fountain, the original table used in the store and some booths added later. It has a wonderful tin ceiling, hopefully the picture gives an idea of it.

Steiners Drug Store