Special Places…Then & Now

"The heart, like the memory, has a memory. And in it are kept the most precious keepsakes"  - Henry Wadsworth Longfellow

Today begins an occasional series of places that were special to me in my youth and what they have become now. For locals of the Clarksburg West Virginia area, I am sure you will recognize them. For those out of the area, I am sure you have your own “Special Places…Then & Now.”

I would truly enjoy seeing your pictures and reading your own personal stories. After you finish this piece, please, do spend some time ‘remembering.’ And, if the spirit moves you, send them to me. With your approval, I may publish a few.

As we move about my area, I will share some personal memories. Many places of my youth are gone, some have been replaced, and some are (I am thrilled to say) serving a new generation. Our initial stop is at the first fast food restaurant I can remember in my hometown – The Burger Chef. It was located just outside Clarksburg in Nutter Fort, West Virginia.

(wikkipedia)

This was the place to see and be seen during my high school years, the mid-late 60’s. Friday night after the football games and Saturday nights were special. Truly, nights to remember…at The Burger Chef.

(Connect-Clarksburg.com)

To get a spot in the preferred parking areas, the back lot, you had to get their early. Standing around, leaning against your car on a warm night telling stories and sharing lies. “Those were the days my friends.”

One of the many advantages of The Burger Chef was you could pull in with $5.00, eat well and have money left over. The burgers were ‘literally’ two-fisted burgers. Try to hold one of these beauties with one hand meant pickles, ketchup, and mustard on your shirt or upholstery.

(Connect-Clarksburg.com)

The Burger Chef…it was THE place to break up, make up, or attempt to meet someone new. It was a safe place for teenagers to congregate, work on who we were, and where we were going…if only going to Lowndes Hill to park and look at the stars later.

That was our Burger Chef… THEN. I’m not sure when the last burger slid across the counter, but it was still serving when I left in 1972. Actually, my wife and I drove past the old ‘Chef’ on our way out of town on our honeymoon. Sometime after that, this legendary place closed.

This is our Burger Chef… NOW!
It is now a day care center – Mother Goose Land

Every time I drive by, I still see freshly washed cars with teenagers milling about. One day, a few years ago, I even drove slowly through the parking lot, paying homage to that back lot. And, for a moment, I even picked up a scent of one of those two-fisted burgers. At least I thought I did.

I was pleased to see this location had not become a blighted building, an overgrown lot, or simply a vacant lot, like so many have. Thankfully, someone had the resources and the drive to create a prosperous business – a much-needed business.

This Burger Chef was important to my group. And, although it is no longer helping to raise a generation of teenagers, there is a certain irony to what it has become – a place that is helping raise children to be teenagers. “Special Places…Then & Now.”

Not sure what my camera will capture next time or where memories will take me, but rest assured, both will have been special…then.

For the truly nostalgic, click on this link and  re-read the piece.    https://youtu.be/Rgqzb-u6Q0c

Until next time,

Michael