History of a Painting -
Bonnie Doon Drive-in, S. Michigan Street,
South Bend, Indiana.
Acrylic Painting by Larry Johnston©
Bonnie Doon Ice Cream started in 1941 and in 1944, opened up their first drive-in. One of their most popular locations was on S. Michigan Street, in South Bend, Indiana. At the time, when I frequented that location, there were 5 locations in the area.
During my High School days, Michigan Street was a one way street going north and the next street over, Main Street was one way going south. Bonnie Doon and Azar's Big Boy sat next door to each other, so they became the hang out as the cars would drives through both establishments, go around the block and back through, over and over, eventually referred to as the marry-go-round. The teenagers would sit on their cars in the parking lot and watch the cars go by. I remember the cars stopping along Main Street to meet. I'm sure many romances started at Bonnie Doon's.
I decided to bring back some of these buildings that have since become vacant or torn down. This painting, which is the building on S. Michigan Street, brought back many memories from the people that saw it.. I asked if they could find the Corvette Stingray in the painting, which most couldn't find, until I pointed out the reflection in the side of the car in the foreground.
Of the 5 Bonnie Doon locations that I remember, I have painted 4 of them.
Blogs About Some of My Other Paintings and their History:
Armuchee House,.... The Corner Shelf,.... Loew's Jersey Theatre,.... Marathon Gas Pump,.... Calloway's Round Barn,.... River Street, Savannah, GA,.... Court House, Crown Point, IN,.... Pooles Mill Covered Bridge,.... Steak and Shake,.... The Peanut Shop,.... Hot Diggity Dogs,.... Wrigley Field,.... Piano Through a Window,.... The Coconut Tree,.... Barber Tonics,.... Pelican Diner,.... A & W Drive-in,.... The Lantern,.... The FOX Theatre, Atlanta,... Tri-Way Outdoor Theatre,... Rexall Drug Store,... A Family Homestead,... The Palace Theatre,... Angel's Diner,... Krispy Kreme, Gainsville, Florida,... Bonnie Doon US31,... Ross Diner,... The Gag & Heave,... A&W Root Beer Barrel,... Bonnie Doon, Lincolnway, Mishawaka, IN,... Train Depot, Cartersville, GA,... Dairy Queen,... Firestone Store,... The South Shore,... The Gathering Place,... 4-Way Lunch,... Mustard and Ketchup,... McDonald's,... Lost Mountain Store,... The Big Chicken,... Euharlee, GA. Covered Bridge,... Juliette, GA Church,... Fried Green Tomatoes House,... Whistle Stop Cafe,... Whistle Stop Train Depot,... Tilley Park,... Jimmy's Hurricane,... Barber Chair,... Fire Truck,... Rosies Diner,... Judge Roy Bean's
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If you know someone who wants to Buy or Sell a Home in Elkhart County, have them call me:
Larry Johnston, 574-304-7577
Friends & Neighbors Real Estate and Elkhart County Subdivisions, LLC
Elkhart, Indiana
or email larry@larry-johnston.com
