Open Most of the Time

Planted By Doodle & Deedle Bug
State:  Ohio
County:  Columbiana
Nearest City:  Lisbon
Number of Boxes:  1
Planted on June 30, 2006
Status:  Active

As you enter Lisbon, Ohio, from Ohio Route 45 South there's an Ohio-shaped sign bragging that the town was the  birthplace of Marcus A. Hanna, an inventor and industrialist.  That's all fine and dandy, but in our opinion, Earle & Jacki's Steel Trolley Diner’s homemade pies are what Lisbon should really be known for. 

The following historical blurb about the Steel Trolley Diner is taken from the front cover of their menu:  "The Steel Trolley Diner, one of the few old-time steel diners left, was one of the last ones made by the Jerry O'Mahoney Company in 1954 in Elizabeth, New Jersey.  In 1955 it arrived in Salem on two railroad flat cars after being purchased by Salem businessman Jim Aldom.  The diner was sold to Charles Forsyth in 1975 and four years later was purchased by Wayne Darling.  Darling then sold the diner to Lisbon native Shirley Davis.  Shirley moved the diner to its present site in May of 1979 and operated it until October 1992.  The Steel Trolley Diner was then purchased by Lisbon residents Earle and Jacki Hersman."

This authentic 50's era diner has been operating for more than 50 years.  And with recent publicity in magazines and even on The Food Network, this diner should still be Open Most of the Time for quite some time to come! 

Clues:

This letterbox is hidden along the Little Beaver Creek Greenway Trail, so bring your bike along if you're so inclined.  Once in Lisbon (make sure you're going to the Lisbon in Columbiana County, NOT Clark County!), from Ohio Route 45 South (aka Market Street) follow Ohio Route 164 West (right onto West Washington Street, then a left onto Lincoln Avenue).  The trailhead is located on Ohio Route 164, on the right just past Maple Street if you've followed our directions.  There is limited parking (about 5 spaces) at the trailhead.  

When you're ready to begin, start following the paved trail at Mile Marker 0.  Hope you brought your camera; in the fall the leaves are amazing!  Walking (or biking) along the path, you’ll pass underneath a bridge.  For those with young’uns in tow, point out the pretty foliage on the right side of the path so that they’re not asking you what all those colorful words that may be scrawled on the bridge’s support on the left side mean.   

Cross St. Jacob-Logtown Road and keep following the path with the sign for the Greenway Trail.  Continue walking (or biking).  You'll pass a set of stone stairs on the right (these lead to a ledge that rock climbers like to practice on).  Keep walking/biking, but not for too much longer.  You'll see a bench on the left side of the trail.  Sit down, take a rest.  Look at the skinny multi-trunked tree that's at about 0° across the path.  From the bench, walk about 8 paces to this tree, and hidden at the backside of its base is what you seek.   

After re-hiding, you can continue walking (or biking) west on the trail towards Leetonia.  Or, head back the way you came to your car for what you REALLY seek - pie at the Steel Trolley Diner!  

To get to the diner from the trailhead, make a left onto Lincoln Avenue, a right onto West Washington Street, and a left onto Jefferson Street.  Park at one of the metered spaces on Jefferson.  You'll see the glimmering steel of the diner on the left side of Jefferson.

Welcome to an authentic old-fashioned 50’s era diner!  Seat yourself, a waitress will be with you shortly.  Ask what type of pies they have that day, since the selection varies.  You could tell them that Doodle & Deedle Bug sent you, but they’ll have no idea who you mean.  Doodle highly recommends the Oatmeal Pie, warmed with ice cream (make sure to ask for the pie warmed).  Mmmmmm...you might have to head back to the Greenway Trail after you’re done to walk dessert off!

Our Fine Print:  Please be kind, be sure to re-hide (well) in the same location you found the box, with everything in tact!  If this letterbox requires maintenance or needs our attention, or if you just want to tell us how good that pie was, we can be reached  at doodle_n_deedle @ yahoo.com

IMPORTANT!  Before you begin any letterboxing regiment you must first read and accept the Waiver of Responsibility and Disclaimer located at the Letterboxing North America website!
 

Take me back!