Retro Roadmap Writeup
When I saw this glamorous night photo of Nelson's Cafe in the Flickr file of RoadsidePictures (aka Allen Sandquist) I knew I had to share it here on Retro Roadmap.
Isn't it just gorgeous?
Here's an even bigger version for better viewing!)
- Low slung single story building? Check.
- Randomly lit diamonds and starbursts? Check.
- Fabulous script with possible chasing bulbs? Check.
- Illuminated and patterened glass block? Check.
- Fabulous MCM shape of the Pilot's Lounge sign? Swoon!
And for some reason I LOVE it when signs are made With.One.Letter.In.Each.Box - like in Club, Cafe and Restaurant.
Nelson's Cafe & Pilot Lounge is located in Burley, Idaho and while there isn't much info on it online, Yelp reviews note it's "Your typical dive bar with a sweetheart for a bartender."
When I asked Allen to ask how he discovered this gem of neon, starbursts, glass block, diamonds, and more fabulous MCM shapes than you can shake a stick at, he replied:
It's a great place, isn't it? I was on my way home from a trip to the Grand Tetons for a family reunion. I had passed Burley and decided to turn around and see if they had any old neon. I had seen a couple of pictures of the place, but didn't know it was in Burley. I know the place dates back to the 1940's. It looked quite different back then, though. The next time I go through town, I'll stop in for a cup of coffee and some interior photos."
Please do!
I'm putting Nelson's on the Retro Roadmap as a "Photo Op" for now, since we don't know what it's like inside - but if anyone wants to be a sleuth reporter and venture in, please please please let us know if it's as cool inside as it is out.
Thanks Allen for sharing your photo and info - I love it when people double as Retro Roadmap Reporters!
UPDATE! Just as a heads up to anyone considering photographing Nelson's - Jeff K of Vintage Roadside posted on our FB page "One of the very few places we were chased off by the "regulars" for taking photos of the exterior! For whatever reason several of the patrons came out to block us from photographing the place. No idea what was going on that day..."So just be forwarned that they may not take kindly to strangers.
I would never want any of you to get in any dangerous situations, so if things seem sketchin - anywhere (now I sound like a mom) - listen to your spidey sense and abandon ship. The photo isn't worth taking chances with folks who don't get it!
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wacky tacky
July 18, 2012 at 2:53 pmI love Nelson’s because it is so many things: cafe, club, restaurant, lounge. I love a good case of multiple personality disorder! My sister actually lived in Burley, ID for a short time but I never heard a word about Nelson’s. I’ll have to ask her if she ever enjoyed its beauty! LOVE IT!
Mod Betty
July 18, 2012 at 3:23 pmWould love to hear what she has to report!
Bonnie Robinson Baetz
April 22, 2014 at 12:26 pmI lived in Burley as a child. My mother, Bea Robinson was the piano player, entertainer in the lounge. Circa 1949- 1951. I remember the owner, Les Nelson, and often played with his daughters. It was a special time and place I will never forget/
Mod Betty / RetroRoadmap.com
April 22, 2014 at 12:40 pmBonnie – how cool!
Teressa Bunn
September 19, 2015 at 2:48 ami loved to listen to jeanie play the piano and drums she was so good my mom laveda platt murray wasa waitress for les in the 40s she also babysat jeanie
Debi Culley Kowalczuk
September 4, 2015 at 8:08 amMy sister’s Mother-in-Law (her name was Sofie Crosland) worked there as a waitress back in the late 50’s and 60’s. As a young kid I loved the place. I grew up in Rupert, Id., the town just North of Burley. Burley was a busy town back in those days.
Mod Betty
September 17, 2015 at 9:15 amSo cool! Thanks for sharing Debi!
Mod Betty / RetroRoadmap.com
October 7, 2015 at 12:45 pmThat sounds neat – thansk for sharing, Debi!
Teressa Bunn
September 19, 2015 at 1:18 amLes Nelson built the building, he won his home in a card game, he was a very good person with very interesting stories to tell. Every sunday he would feed the homeless soup and all would watch football on the tv in the bar. His grandaughter Roxie Kennedy was my best friend and we spent many a day there. Les also owned property in
sun valley, he owned the silver dollar bar when it was robbed of the silver dollars, he knew many movie stars of his generation, they would stop at his place on their way to sun valley. My mom was a waitress for him in the
Mod Betty / RetroRoadmap.com
October 7, 2015 at 12:45 pmTeressa – this is great information – thanks for adding it to the post! This way everyone can learn about the history of this place!
Nicole Abe
October 19, 2016 at 2:15 pmMy 93 year old grandmother is telling me stories about Les when she worked there as a waitress during the war (she’s Japanese American). I’m thinking it was around 1943 or so. I googled his name and this popped up. She is always talking about how kind her boss was to her. I wish we could have thanked him for his kindness. I’m not surprised to hear that he helped so many others in his time.
Mod Betty / RetroRoadmap.com
October 20, 2016 at 9:25 amNicole – thanks for adding your Grandmother’s personal experience to the history of Nelson’s that has started to accumulate here – I LOVE that this post of mine has become a magnet for these bits and pieces, as they really add up to something!
Give your Grandmom a hug from Mod Betty – my Grammie is 98 years old, so I know how precious these great ladies are!