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Pre 1948
Postcard courtesy of 66postcards.com - Used by Permission
Ariel View. Circa 1950
Postcard courtesy of 66postcards.com - Used by Permission
The Rebuilt Diamonds
Postcard courtesy of 66postcards.com - Used by Permission
Location: Jct MO 100 and MO AT, Villa Ridge, MO Date Built: Jul 3, 1927 - Rebuilt after a fire in 1948 Other Names Used: Tri County Truck Stop GPS Coordinates: N38.47281 W90.85681 Now on this Site: Now Closed
The original Diamonds restaurant was built on this location in 1927 by Spencer Groof. The property's wedge shape gave the business its trademark name., The Diamonds. This business flourished over the years, and eventually expanded to include rental cabins and two swimming pools.
In 1948, a fire broke out, and completely destroyed the original building. It was so intense, that traffic on Route 66 was shut down in both directions. The existing art deco brick structure was completed in 1950. The new building was billed as the 'World's Largest Roadside Restaurant'.
It continued to operate until 1967 when it was bypassed by Interstate 44. The business moved to a new location about 2 miles east, but is now closed.
The original location reopened several years later as the Tri County Truck Stop, but is currently closed.
