The Diner • 35 Neill Ave.
1938-1954
"Deep-Fat Frying will be our specialty."
46°35'35.07"N 112° 2'13.82"W

Located at 35 Neill Ave., near the NE corner of Woman's Park, The Diner was built in 1938 by Helena restaurateur Clarence Wise. The cute little restaurant was white with red trim, and had a knotty pine interior. In August of 1952, Walt and Mille Schrock took over ownership of The Diner. They would eventually move the building, and open Walt & Millie's Diner on E. Lyndale, near Memorial Park

 

The Diner, about 1940

The Click Image to Open PDF File
of Congratulatory Newspaper Ads

Robbery!

The Diner worker was probably James L. Muir Jr. (1911-2009), not Muier. I found no mention of the robber being apprehended.

Managed by Leo and Cecelia Kelsh

Leo (1898-1976) and Cecilia (1907-1997) Kelsh managed The Diner from at least 1941, They purchesed the business from Clarence Wise in 1949, and sold to Walt and Millie Schrock in 1952.

 

Walt and Millie Schrock Take Over, 1952

In August of 1952, Walt and Millie Schrock took over ownership and management of The Diner. In 1954, the building was moved north, to 18 E. Lyndale, near the busy intersection of Lyndale and N. Main (Last Chance Gulch). It was renamed Walt & Millie's Diner. The Schrocks enlarged the building in 1956. The original building can be easily seen in the design of the remodled restaurant.

The building was moved from Lyndale to 2970 Prospect in 1968, and was in use as a mobile home and camper supply business when it burned in 1982.

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