Step back in time to the golden era of Florida travel, where the historic highways of the Treasure Coast were dotted with a unique culinary phenomenon: the train car diner. Long before the era of modern fast food, locals and travelers passing through the greater Vero Beach and Fort Pierce areas flocked to these repurposed rail cars for hearty meals and community connection. Historical archives have preserved this fascinating chapter of 1930s to 1950s lifestyle, revealing a vibrant dining culture that stretched from Stuart up to the borders of Indian River County.
The most heavily advertised establishment of its time was Fort Pierce’s own Palace Diner, fondly remembered as the dining car on the highway. Opening its doors in 1938 as the Red Apple Restaurant at the site of today’s U.S. courthouse, the diner soon transformed into The Palace Diner under the ownership of Eugene Hyland and his wife in 1940. This iconic spot quickly became a staple of the local dining scene.
In 1940, patrons could enjoy a 40-cent Sunday dinner special featuring a choice of roast turkey with cranberry sauce, roast beef, or roast fresh ham, alongside fresh hot rolls and dessert, showcasing the diner’s commitment to true homestyle hospitality.
Over its two-decade run, The Palace Diner saw a colorful cast of owners and operators who reflected the diverse tapestry of the Treasure Coast:
- The Hylands (1940): Brought their hospitality experience from the Catskill Mountains to Florida, offering elaborate Sunday dinners and seating for over fifty guests.
- Ray Gregory (1943): A former Kentucky police chief who leased the 24-hour diner after falling in love with the area while visiting his son in the Coast Guard.
- Walter Pierson (1944): A World War I veteran, professional baseball player, and umpire who took over operations during the 1940s travel boom.
- C.E. Bolen (1946): A prominent civic leader, house-moving contractor, and local football team manager who relocated the ancient diner to Avenue D after it was condemned at its original site by the city.
By 1948, the diner’s fame had spread far beyond local borders, earning a feature and illustration in The Saturday Evening Post. However, changing times and unpaid property taxes eventually led to the diner fading from local newspaper records by 1959.
The Palace Diner wasn’t the only rail car serving up memories. Just down the road, Earl Roberts founded a classic train car diner in the Fort Pierce railyard in 1945, located across from the historic 1912 passenger train station. Known variously over the years as the F.E.C. Diner and the Railroad Diner, it became a beloved fixture for railway travelers.
The entire Treasure Coast region was heavily populated with these charming eateries. Just south of Vero Beach in Lakewood Park, travelers could pull over at Kelly’s Diner on the west side of U.S. 1. Further south, Jensen Beach boasted the Cash Diner and the Rivervue Diner, which sat picturesquely on Indian River Drive at the foot of the bridge. Stuart residents also enjoyed downtown spots like Powell’s Diner and Dutch and Nettie’s Diner on Osceola Avenue.
Today, while these classic train car diners have largely vanished from our coastal highways, they remain a cherished piece of Treasure Coast real estate and lifestyle history. They stand as a testament to an era when a road trip through Florida meant pulling up to a rail car, grabbing a slice of pie, and enjoying the warm, close-knit hospitality of our historic coastal communities.
