If I were going to add a verse to our state song, “On the Banks of the Wabash, Far Away,” my contribution would be:
“Oh, The neon signs burn bright along the roadside,
“An ice cream cone is what I want today,
“The aroma of onion rings keep me dreaming,
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“Of the drive-ins of Indiana, far away.”
I had better be careful or my poetic license is going to be revoked. My apologies to all of the poets and songwriters out there who actually have some talent.
The state song is nostalgic and wistful. It dreamily conjures memories of a bygone Indiana, perhaps depicting a Hoosierland that never really existed. But it seems incomplete to me without recalling the summer rite of passage of a visit to a drive-in restaurant. And your trip to a drive-in is incomplete without an order of ice cream.
With its brutal hot weather, summer in Indiana can be a challenge. We do not have the benefit of oceans or mountain vistas. We have to endure extreme weather and rough roads. So we have to cherish what makes living here unique and fun.
Summer in Indiana does offer fresh from the field sweet corn. We are also frequent witnesses to the drama, thrill and sometimes the terror of watching a summer thunderstorm. But the highpoint of many summers in Indiana is a visit to the oasis along the highway. Thankfully, it is no mirage. It is real relief from heat and hunger.
Drive-ins are unique in character. They usually have a name that is a pun or has a whimsical spelling. The food is almost always tasty and usually pretty inexpensive.
The menus, painted on the side of the building or lit up in lights, are often faded from time or the weather. The neon lights and the buildings themselves are works of art.
As you relish in your meal, you can catch up on local gossip or just watch the cars go by. Each morsel is a culinary journey down memory lane. The drive-in landmarks give us all a chance to be a kid again. A chili dog, an order of fried mushrooms and a root beer float can surely cure what ails you. Are you hungry yet?
Once a common sight, the small town drive-in restaurants are endangered. When I was growing up, my favorite place was the Sundae Castle in Delphi, Indiana. It was just a short road trip away in the Oldsmobile. The Sundae Castle exists only in my memories now. It closed when I was in high school. They shut it down to make way for a new bridge. That is progress, I guess. It seemed like a high price to pay.
We need places like the Sundae Castle now more than ever. The small town drive-ins offer solace to the problems of our modern lives. It is hard to argue about politics or answer the hassles of your cellphone when downing a twist cone covered in sprinkles. The heat is a lot more bearable when eating a banana split. If you are feeling blue, drink a chocolate ice cream soda now. You can worry later.
Aaron Miller is one of The Republic’s community columnists and all opinions expressed are those of the writer. He has a doctorate in history and is an associate professor of history at Ivy Tech Community College — Columbus. Send comments to editorial@therepublic.com.
