The Midway Diner is located in Sedalia half way between Greensboro and Burlington on East Wendover (US 70). This photo makes the wooden rail car, built at the turn of the PREVIOUS century, look like it is in a secluded, wooded setting. In actuality, the defunct diner is a stone's throw from the bustling Rock Creek Dairy Road and Stoney Creek Crossing. This architecturally significant wooden rail car has been sitting in the present location since 1937 and, in its diner days, attracted customers from all over. They served hot dogs, pimento cheese sandwiches and other diner fare. It is rumored that Elvis Presley dined here. Greensboro's cultural historian Jim Schlosser featured a great article about the diner in the News and Record this past March.
We're sharing this with Ruby Tuesday where photos with at least a touch of red get shared with the world. (The diner looks redder in real life).
what a cosy den!
Posted by: Stanley Ho | Tuesday, July 27, 2010 at 03:01 AM
Oh boy....if only the walls could talk. What stories this little diner could tell us.
My Tuesday Photo Do hope you can find time to visit with me.
Posted by: HOOTIN' ANNI | Tuesday, July 27, 2010 at 04:43 AM
One would not know they serve anything. IT looks like an abandoned railroad car.
My Ruby Link for you
Posted by: Auntie E | Tuesday, July 27, 2010 at 07:52 AM
We need to clarify. The Midway diner has not operated as a diner since sometime in the 1960's. Sadly, in its present carnation, the rail car is a storage shed. Jim Schlosser does a nice job of documenting its chronology of purposes from 1) glorious rail car to 2) swanky diner to 3) bustling flea market to 4) deteriorating storage shed.
If this photo had sound, you would hear a barking dog and cars wooshing by. Put your memory cap on and you can almost hear the jukebox.... It's Elvis!!! I ain't nothin' but a hound dog.........
Posted by: Greensboro Daily Photo | Tuesday, July 27, 2010 at 09:05 AM
It could be a pleasant place...
Posted by: Steffen | Tuesday, July 27, 2010 at 09:30 AM
WOW! What a piece of history! Too bad it has been left uncared for, and now is a storage shed!!
Posted by: Aubrey @ My Camera's Eye | Tuesday, July 27, 2010 at 12:41 PM
Aubrey, as I am learning through the city daily photo blogs, most cities have decaying treasures. Globally, more interest is being taken in history and artifacts but restoration and maintenance can only take place with money-- and personpower!
Posted by: Greensboro Daily Photo | Tuesday, July 27, 2010 at 01:28 PM
You are right. This could be "old Florida." I've seen these diners here and there...and like this, one, not functional. Which is too bad. Nice shot!
Posted by: Jacob | Tuesday, July 27, 2010 at 03:45 PM
It has seen better days, but it still has a lot of charm! Thanks for sharing the history of this diner!
Posted by: Jientje | Tuesday, July 27, 2010 at 03:58 PM
Too bad it's no longer in use. It looks charming!
Posted by: EG Wow | Tuesday, July 27, 2010 at 05:19 PM
That looks like the joint where Clint Eastwood and Hilary Swank ate pie in the movie "Million Dollar Baby".
Posted by: barbara farr | Tuesday, July 27, 2010 at 08:57 PM
Love this kind of diner, is like a piece of modern art or a kind of Installation, sure is a pleasure dine here!
Posted by: Carraol | Wednesday, July 28, 2010 at 05:38 AM
Elvis also ate at the Brightwood a couple of miles on down the road.
Posted by: Hugh | Thursday, July 29, 2010 at 12:49 PM