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White Castle

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The first White Castle opened in 1921. There are now more than 380 locations. However, very few of the original buildings still exist. For more about the chain, see these websites: 1, 2, and 3. There is also a book about White Castle.

former White Castle
Detroit, MI		 former White Castle?
Cincinnati, OH
This former White Castle in Detroit was built in 1929. In the 1930s, it became Motts Burgers. Many years later, the name was changed to Motz's Burgers which is what it is known as today. [map]

The first White Castle in Cincinnati was built in 1927. Although some say that this building originally housed a White Castle, I strongly doubt it. The building last housed the Teez Cafe but it has been vacant for many years. [map]

former White Castle
Indianapolis, IN
This former White Castle is identified as White Castle #3 on the National Register of Historic Places. It was built in 1927. The building last housed a recruiting office for the Indiana National Guard. It was vacant by 2019. [map]

former White Castle
Minneapolis, MN
This former White Castle, also known as White Castle #8, was built in 1936. The building has housed Castle Jewelers since at least 2002. At some point, the store began featuring accordion sales. These photos are from 2011. The building was housing an antiques store by 2016. The design was inspired by Chicago's Water Tower. The building is constructed of rolled steel and is covered with porcelain enamel panels. This was one of the chain's few prefabricated and portable buildings. It was moved in 1983 and 1986. The structure is listed on the National Register of Historic Places. For more, see these websites: 1 and 2. [map]

former White Castle
Orient, OH (now Rolla, MO)
This former White Castle was installed at a private home when these photos were taken in 2009. The owner has a collection of other buildings that were moved here as well. There is a blacksmith shop, a church, a gas station, a railroad depot and a general store. This White Castle building was originally located in Columbus, OH and was moved here in 1986. It has many original fixtures inside. In 2010, it was sold and moved to a private collection in Rolla, MO. I believe this building and the one in Minneapolis described above are the only two White Castles of this style left.

White Castle Headquarters International [gone]
Columbus, OH
The White Castle Headquarters International building paid tribute to its restaurant design with these porcelain enamel steel panels, stainless steel details, and a central tower. In 1934, White Castle established the Porcelain Steel Building Company in Columbus to produce the steel panels and fixtures for its restaurants. This building had been updated over the years. In 2019, the company moved next door to a new, larger building and this one was demolished. For more, see this website.

White Castle [gone]
Columbus, OH
This White Castle was built in 1958 and significantly remodeled in 1999. I have never seen another White Castle sign like this. I don't know if it was mass-produced and this is the last of its kind or if it was built during the remodeling. These photos are from 2010. The building and sign were still there in 2015. By 2016, they were gone. For more, see this website.

White Castle
Minneapolis, MN
This White Castle is another example of the chain's more modern buildings. It was built in 1978. For more, see this website. [map]

More White Castles:
former White Castle (Chicago, IL)
White Castle (Wichita, KS) [vintage; gone]
White Castle (St. Paul, MN)
White Castle (North Bergen, NJ) [map] [gone; rebuilt]
White Castle (Cincinnati, OH) [vintage; gone]

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