Zippy the Pinhead is a comic strip that is usually either loved or hated. Whatever your take on Zippy is, one fact is undeniable. The artwork consistently churned out by Bill Griffith, the creator, is always top notch. One interesting aspect of his strip is that his characters visit “Real Places” in the strip.

Ordinarily when someone thinks of a “landmark” it doesn’t bring to mind something that moves from place to place.

A landmark is often thought of as being an object of some sort that marks the boundary of an area of land. A tree or a cairn can be a landmark. A landmark might also be an object that can be observed and referenced for navigation, for example, a prominent mountain peak or a distinct rock outcropping. Additionally, the word landmark has come to mean a structure that has an unusual historic interest that has been officially designated and set aside for preservation. So can a “landmark” move?

The definitions above are the common interpretations of what a landmark is but there is another definition of what a landmark can be. A landmark can also be an event or development that marks a turning point or a stage according to Merriam-​Webster. Read on to learn of one such “moving landmark”

In 1966 the National Historic Preservation Act established the National Register of Historic Places. Over the last 46 years more than one million properties have been listed on the National Register. Most are “contributing resources” found inside the boundaries of a designated historic district; however, over 80,000 are listed individually. Most are structures such as buildings and bridges but there are a very small number of these landmarks that are portable, they actually move. One such listing on the Register is a locomotive, the Spokane Portland & Seattle #700.

In 1889 workers completed the Benton County Courthouse in Corvallis, Oregon. Located at 120 NW Fourth Street the structure was designed by a Portland architect of some renown named Delos D. Neer in a style he described as resembling “an Italian villa with a military influence.”

(Benton County Courthouse Circa 1900-​10)

Locally quarried stone and bricks fired at a nearby brickyard were used in the structure which cost $70,000 to build and furnish. Above the entry Themis, the Greek Goddess of Justice, stands. Lady Justice is commonly represented as blindfolded to indicate this particular statue is unique in that Themis stands without a blindfold.

A major restoration effort in the 1970s was faithful to the building’s purpose and it looks nearly the same today as it did in the 19^th century. In fact, the courthouse uses many “authentic furnishings and architectural details, making the courthouse a showcase of Benton County history and architecture”. The clock tower is emblazoned with the words “The Flight of Time”, and how time does fly. Here we are into the 123^rd year of this structure’s use and for Benton County’s taxpayers it has been a worthwhile investment. The courthouse is the oldest in Oregon still being used for its original purpose, and the people of Benton County have gotten their “money’s worth”. In 1968, the Benton County Courthouse was named an Oregon Historic Site, and in 1977 was nominated to the National Register of Historic Places. 1

In 1921 Charles W. Parker’s, C. W. Parker Amusement, produced a “superior style” Parker machine at his “Wooden Horse Ranch,” at Leavenworth Kansas. One of only 4 known “superior style” models created this carousel has 72 steads standing four abreast row upon row, with one row of six smaller horses gracing one of the lines. These horses were designed in the flambouant particular version of his “Carry-​Us-​All” for an amusement park in Venice CA. A fire at that park sent it into storage from 1921 to 1927 but it found a new home as an attraction at what at the time was “the West’s largest amusement park”. Janzen Beach Amusement Park’s 123 acres of midway, swimming pools, and rides opened on May 26, 1928 and C.W.‘s Carry-​Us-​All held court to several generations of visitors until the park closed in 1970. The buildings were razed, rides sold, and the amusement park was redeveloped into a shopping mall. The Parker Carousel that had survived the Venice fire somehow survived the demise of the park and in 1972 it became the centerpiece of the mall and has continued to bring joy and happiness to visitors for the past four decades.

On March 21, the Portland Preservation blog posted that the carousel was endangered. A massive redevelopment of the mall is apparently bringing the carousel’s ride to an end. The last scheduled spin will happen on April 22, 2012. Preservationists are dreading the loss of the last historic link to the Janzen Amusement Park era while families are dreading the loss of of making memories with low impact entertainment.

Some feel that a “true diner” is a prefabricated structure built at a plant with the intended purpose of serving food. Many think that a diner is a “diner” because of the style of food that is provided.

The cultural phenomenon that has evolved into the modern diner has its roots in the Northeast. A gentleman named Walter Scott started a part time business out of home selling prepared lunches to supplement his income at a local newspaper in Providence, RI. In 1872 he quit his pressman’s job and started selling full time out of an enclosed wagon. From this humble beginning the diner evolved. When the nation became electrified many horse drawn trolley cars were converted to use as a dining establishment because of their abundance and low cost. The next change came during the great depression when former rail cars became available for purchase at reasonable prices. The term, “diner” comes from “dining car”. The companies making the structures had begun modeling them after the elegant rail cars of the period. Additionally low cost rail cars that had seen actual use on railroad lines throughout the country took on a new life as an eatery.

One such car was Northern Pacific Railroad’s #1787.

Built by the Barney-​Smith Company the 1787 was built as an “observation car” in 1906. Barney-​Smith was the primary competitor for the more well-​known Pullman Company’s elegant railcar business. The car sat unsold for five years when North Pacific Railroad (NP) bought it and had it remodeled into a private presidential railcar. The North Pacific used NP 1787 from 1909 until a replacement was purchased after two decades. The 1787 served the NP faithfully providing a luxurious home away from home for three of the North Pacific’s presidents, Howard Elliott, (1903 – 1913), Jule Murat Hannaford, (1913 – 1920), and Charles Donnelly, (1920 – 1939).

NP #1787, the elegant presidential car sporting Tiffany Glass in the clerestory windows, and elaborate light fixtures throughout, eventually became a victim of the great depression. Sitting idle in Seattle it was purchased by the Knight brothers, Frank and Jack. It was then converted The Knight’s diner on 4^th Ave South in Seattle where it remained in business and in the Knight family for the next 60 years. The loss of a lease brought another loss to Seattle, The Knight’s Diner. Shortly after it was closed in 1991 NP #1787 was moved across the State of Washington to Downtown Spokane where it was restored once again and its long tradition of great breakfasts was continued. Since Spokane already had a Knight’s diner Frank’s came into existance.

The diner is topped with a nice neon reminder that Frank’s has been at it since 1931 as a diner. A reader board type sign featuring a clock and witty sayings to entice visitors sits near the corner of the parking area. The best slogan on the day I visited was, “Gravy is My Favorite Food Group”. Yes, indeed. Frank’s has another location in North Spokane in a 1913 Pullman sleeper “Laketon”, lettered as GN #670 But the downtown location at 1516 W. 2^nd Ave is my pick.

Routinely voted as Spokane’s “Best Breakfast”, Frank’s Diner boasts that it serves:

“15 thousand eggs and

2 ½ tons of hashbrowns Per month

One breakfast at a time
PRICELESS”

In an era where people are forgetting that “real diners” are not found in strip malls, and here in a region where a “real diner” is a rare find, Frank’s truly is the “Real Deal”. If you make a trip to Spokane be sure to include a stop at Frank’s. Breakfast is served.…All Day.

Source: Frank’s Diner, Barney & Smith Company