Wandering Wednesday on a Thursday thrills kind of day was a humid one! The rains hit early so we planned some indoor destinations.
We found ourselves in O’Fallon MO at Ethel’s Smokehouse at 8505 Veteran’s Memorial Parkway.
In 1925 Gerhard Sonderen bought this building for $1,000. and completed the The Wildwood Saloon in one year. When the depression struck Gerhard sold out to Edward Hesskamp. For the next 20 years it stayed a tavern when it sold again to Marge Reed. This building sold many more times before it became Ethyl’s Wildwood Smokehouse and Saloon.”
…”you can never have too much fun, be too relaxed, have too much of the great outdoors, eat too much barbecue and you can never get too full of Ethyl’s.”
Ethyl’s Smokehouse
On the front porch stood an old Mobil gas pump and their business sign was made of old neon tube lights. During his high school years, Dan had worked at a Mobil Gas Station. This sign made a flood of memories come to his mind.
BBQ
The waitress seated us in the corner. It wasn’t the best spot to view all the décor, but we made do. The memorabilia was from the 1950’s style like the old gas pumps, metal signage and that kind of thing. They did an excellent job in decorating.
We ordered the pork steak, smoked chicken and ribs. It was pretty tasty, but we still haven’t found a place that beats Dexter BBQ pork steak in Farmington. It was a fun place to eat.
Fort Zumwalt Park
It was still sprinkling a bit, so we took in a couple antique malls in the area. When it cleared up and the humidity was just right for a sauna we went to Fort Zumwalt Park. The park had a spring-fed lake and were in the process of restocking it. It was a place of beauty.
On the park grounds was a replica of the old Fort Zumwalt that protected the towns people during the Indian war of 1812. The restored Herald Home, also located in the park was built around 1884. We enjoyed walking around the buildings, looking at the outside wondering what stories this house could have told. As our luck ran the buildings were closed.
Antique Barn
We moved on to the “Antique Barn” at 1108 Veterans Memorial Parkway, Warrenton, MO. It was a true antique barn. I would love to go back to this one sometime. I saw many old pictures on the walls that I wondered if they had true value. There was an old cabin and wagon set up inside. Lots and lots of antiques. Very nicely done.
Our wandering had to come to an end for this week so we were homeward bound, until next week.