On my pilgrimage south on U.S. 61 (Highway 25 to the real oldtimers), I passed the Dew Drop Inn at the intersection of Hwy 61 and Hwy Y in Bloomsdale. It was the kind of thing that made me do a quick U-turn. I’ve heard of Dew Drop Inns, but have never been inside one. You can click on the photos to make them larger.
A quick Google search turned up less than a handful of reviews, including, “Good bar food. Tried the patty melt and would order it again. Drinks are reasonably priced with a nice pour.” This didn’t have a thumbs up or a thumbs down, so I’m not sure how to interpret it: “Hicksville. If you have more tattoos than teeth this is the place for you, don’t forget your shotgun and sister!”
This one was clearly favorable: “I was there for the first time last week. It was brilliant! Definitely a hole-in-the-wall…but I mean that in the BEST way. The bartender and cook (owners?) were really really nice, the clientelle all knew each other, and we all watched some kind of “Dumbest 100 Disasters on Wheels” on the TV together. I didn’t eat, but the pizza looked great. The appetizers were cheap (curley fries!!! $1.50 and Fried Pickles too!) and the decor was…quaint. Walls decorated with posters, signed photos, and what looked like gifts from the patrons. Milwaukee Best cans $1.50, Budweiser bottles $2.00. I want to live in this place. It felt like the home I never had.”
Lots of Dew Drop Inns
That Google search popped up lots of Dew Drops. Here are just a few towns:
- Forks, Washington
- Honolulu, Hawaii
- Mobile, Alabama
- Miller, South Dakota
- New Orleans, Louisiana
- Alpena, Michigan
- New York, New York
- Moline, Illinois
- Philadelphia, Pennsylvania
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One of the many things you miss when taking the Interstate!
Back in the 60’s, on 61 northbound above Uniontown, somewhere on an east side broad hilltop just before a gentle left-hand curve, was an old abandoned building with a faded sign on the south side of the building identifying it as the Dew Drop Inn. I also remember at least one sign advertising the Dew Drop Inn in Bloomsdale.
Why do I believe there was one on Water St. in Cape. I also remember a “HONEY DRIPPER” ON Water
ADD CAPE GIRARDEAU TO THAT LIST! MY GRANDPARENTS(Homer and Madge Boswell) OWNED A SMALL CAFE CALLED “DEW-DROP IN” IN THE LATE 40’S. It was located next door to The (OLD)First National Bank on Main Street. It was in the building that recently housed Brown Shoe Store (which has now moved out on Broadridge) in Cape. I have a couple of pictures that I will send you.
As a little girl of about 3-4 years of age, I spent a lot of time with my grandparents in their cafe. The “Tot & Teen” Shop was a couple doors north next to Osterloh’s Book Store. I would run up there and see Miss Mercer who would dress me in real cute little outfits and then tell me to “run back down and show your grandma how cute you look.” Of course, my grandparents couldn’t resist the outfits and I had many beautiful clothes as a little girl! One day, I ran down the street in front of Hecht’s where a firehose hydrant was sticking out between Hechts and the adjoining building. Curious, I stuck my hand in the hydrant to see what was in there and IT GOT STUCK on the swinging flap (like a Japanese finger lock). Anyway, the old night watchman, Sam Tucker, heard me hollering for my Grandma and helped me get out of the big trap and took me up to my Grandparents’ DEW-DROP IN and told them what happened. Everyone knew everyone on Main Street and they all watched out for each other. Those were some wonderful days!
That old night watchmen was my dad ! Hero to many,my dad miss you every day you are my hero love you till we meet again dad your daughter Elaine
So glad someone remembers the businesses you mentioned Jeffry. would love to see some picts of them if anyone has them to share. Especially the First National Bank. No one seems to remember it. I remember the steps that went up to it.
I’m looking for information on the creek that my grandparents had a clubhouse on back when I was a little girl. Which would be in the 1960’s. I would love to be able to see pictures or physically if by chance the road is still there, go and see how its changed.