Updated
Villa Ridge, Mo
Formerly the Old Diamonds Inn
The original Diamonds restaurant was built on this location in 1927 by Spencer Groff. The property’s wedge shape gave the business its trademark name., The Diamonds. This business flourished over the years, and eventually expanded to include rental cabins and two swimming pools. In 1948, a fire broke out, and completely destroyed the original building. It was so intense, that traffic on Route 66 was shut down in both directions. The existing art deco brick structure was completed in 1950. The new building was billed as the ‘World’s Largest Roadside Restaurant’.
It continued to operate until 1967 when it was bypassed by Interstate 44. The business moved to a new location about 2 miles east, but is now closed. The original location reopened several years later as the Tri County Truck Stop, but is currently closed.
Some of the staff at this…
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Haunts of Missouri 