Mid-Century Artifact – Paradise Restaurant – Screven County, Georgia

Paradise Restaurant – C. Hamsher – 2008

While on a jaunt to visit family in Georgia last week I hit the brakes while cruising through the pecan groves on Rt. 301 in Screven County to behold this mid-century marvel. Sadly standing abandoned this wonderful retro sign and decaying building are artifacts of times past. I’d of given anything to go inside for a burger and shake.

Upon returning home I tried to track down some information on this restaurant and located a postcard which, low and behold, shows what must have been the Paradise’s original sign which must have been there in the 1950’s when the restaurant first opened.

Paradise Restaurant Postcard- circa 1960

While I love to come across places like this in my travels it also saddens me that these architectural and historic structures are going to be lost completely if they are not maintained and preserved.  As the interstate highways  took over and chains prospered at each exit the local flavor of many areas of the country has been lost. Establishments like the Paradise Restaurant flourished in the days when families packed into their car and traveled two-lane roads like Rt. 301.

I, for one, miss that time.