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November 1940. "Restaurant and beer hall in Summit City, California, boom town near Shasta Dam." Medium format negative by Russell Lee. View full size.
I need a chili sandwich. With an ice cold drink. If I'm lucky, Sheriff Longmire will show up all the way from Absaroka County, Wyoming (without a cell phone), thirsty for a Rainier.
Clearly means, "We'll leave the door open on a windy day".
Summit City was one of five communities which sprang up to accommodate the workers on the vast Shasta Dam project. The others were Central Valley, Toyon, Project City, and Pine Grove. Afterward the conglomeration became Central Valley, then the name was changed to Shasta Lake. It is now incorporated with a population of over 10,000.
I'm guessing the car is a 1937 Nash.
IIRC, that does not mean "air conditioned".
I could be mistaken but I believe the sign is meant to be read as Chili and also Sandwiches, not "Chili Sandwiches." Likewise they aren't advertising "Cigar Candies."
On another note, according to the web, the Sloppy Joe was said to have originated when a cook named Joe at Floyd Angell's café in Sioux City, Iowa, added tomato sauce to his “loose meat" sandwiches.
What more could a guy want? Chili, beer, tobacco, candy, A/C, your picture taken for the future to examine, plus your reflection in the car door.
Can I assume the chili sandwich was the precursor to my beloved Sloppy Joe?
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