A History of Americana in Art
Hot air balloons were all from an Art Festival I exhibited at in Wytheville, Virginia. I won the Grand Champion award for my painting of J H Butterfield’s store located in Bar Harbor, Maine. Here are links to the other hot air balloons…
The Roanoke Weiner Stand
Roanoke, Virginia
While exhibiting in a show in Roanoke, Virginia, we found this unique weiner stand. Come to find out, it is Roanoke’s oldest restaurant and one of the most popular. It opened in 1916. Since I painted this picture, which was at 110 Market Square, across from the City Market, they have moved into the Market at 1 Market Square and opened another at 3601 Brandon. They’re known for their grilled hot dogs and chili dogs.
The prints of the painting were very popular, along with the set of four places in Roanoke. (Texas Tavern, Roanoke Weiner Stand, Billy’s Ritz and Agnew Seed Store)
I love Roanoke and could live there! It is such a cool town. Here are a few of my favorite places around town…
Agnew Seed Store
Roanoke, Virginia.
One of my favorite Art Festivals took place in the park in Roanoke, Virginia. As I returned for the annual festival, I brought new paintings of the area. One of the paintings was, at the time, the oldest seed store in the state of Virginia. The store was handed down through family since its opening in 1897.
The store was located at 301 Market Street, in Roanoke and sold Seeds & Bulbs for wholesale and retail growers. The inside of the store, had shelves, drawers and displays that took you back in time. Bird seed was a popular item along with feeders for the bird lovers.
After the owners death in 2009, business closed and the building was sold to a couple who owned several other businesses in the area.
The other paintings that I painted over the years from Roanoke, were the Texas Tavern, Roanoke Weiner Stand and Billy’s, located in the Market District. I eventually sold them as a print set of 4, I called my Roanoke Set.
I love Roanoke and could live there! It is such a cool town. Here are a few of my favorite places around town…
Billy’s Ritz,
Roanoke, VA.
For several years, in late 1980s and early 1990s, I exhibited at the Arts Festival, in Roanoke, Virginia. I might add, they put on a great event, especially the entertainment for the public. Since it was downtown, Roanoke, we were able to visit several restaurants, during our visit.
One of the restaurants, was “Billy’s Ritz”, located adjacent to the Roanoke City Market. It was housed in the previous site of the 60 room “Ames Hotel”, which was built in 1910, according to records. Billy’s Ritz, was an upscale American, Steakhouse, which operated for 27 years, before selling in 2008.
Several other paintings from Roanoke, that I painted, was “Texas Tavern”, “The Roanoke Wiener Stand” and “Agnew Seed Store”.
I love Roanoke and could live there! It is such a cool town. Here are a few of my favorite places around town…
Texas Tavern
Roanoke, Virginia
One of the stops on my Arts and Festival Tour was Roanoke, Virginia. They knew how to put on a festival, complete with great entertainment. Since the festival was just blocks away from the Texas Tavern, which we had heard about, we just had to check it out.
The nostalgia of it all was more than I could hope for. The diner was established in 1930. They claim that it seats 10,000 people (10 at a time). Famous for their Chili, Hot Dogs, Hamburgers and Cheesy Westerns. I noticed, while sitting at the counter, even the metal pipe that you rest your feet on, had been completely worn through to the middle.
By the readers of the Roanoke Magazine, Texas Tavern was voted the best for: Chili, Hot Dogs, Local Hamburger and Late-Night Diner. If you’re ever in Roanoke, stop downtown at 114 Church Ave. They are open 24 hours, 7 days a week. You will be glad you did!
Other Roanoke, Virginia places I have painted are: The Roanoke Weiner Stand; Agnew Seed Store and Billy’s Ritz.
I love Roanoke and could live there! It is such a cool town. Here are a few of my favorite places around town…
