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Friday, October 15, 2010

Waldoboro & Moody’s Diner – A Tradition

Waldoboro is a town in Lincoln County, Maine. In 1773, the township was incorporated as Waldoborough, named for General Samuel Waldo.

Early industries included an iron foundry, a grain mill, sawmills and planing mills, furniture and molding mills, a door, sash and blind factory, and a carriage factory, also marble and granite yards and a pottery. But, once again, ship building was the prime business and eight large vessels built in 1880. In 1888, Waldoboro was the launching port for the first five masted schooner, the Governor Ames. It was the county seat until 1880 when that designation shifted to Wiscasset

History aside, Waldoboro’s most famous claim is that for over 80 years it has been home to Moody's Diner on US Route 1 – alwaysMoodys1018 operating as a family business. Moody’s Diner website attributes its longevity to: good food; reasonable prices; and quick, pleasant service.

“Locals aren't expected to go elsewhere during tourist season and tourists aren't gouged for their vacation cash - it's never going to be that kind of place.”

In 1927, Percy B. Moody (P.B.) built three small, simple cabins on the present Rte 1A with no heat or running water and renting for $1 a night. By the end of the first summer, over 600 travelers had rented cabins. Additional cabins were built, bringing the total to 18. A restaurant followed in the summer of 1930, serving only breakfast and dinner. Then in 1931, a lunch wagon was added to serve hot dogs and hamburgers during the day.

When the state moved Route 1, P.B. Moody bought land and built a road connectingDSCN6000 the cabins to the new route. The small lunch wagon  moved too and a screened porch was added – the start of what became Moody’s Diner. When travelers stopped for a 5 cent cup of coffee or 10 cent sandwich, they were told about the $1/night cabins at the top of the hill. Bertha Moody, managed the cabin business, and was the pastry chef too. The Moodys were parents of nine children and all worked in the family business. Presently, 31 family members of the family, including great grandchildren, still work in the business.

Sample 1930s menu – times (and prices) have changed !

DSCN5996Over the years, the diner was enlarged and renovated with the final changes 2004; the diner now seats 108. In summer months, the bakery supplies 50-60 pies, 10 dozen muffins, 8 dozen donuts, and 40 dozen biscuits daily.DSCN6033

moodys collage

Moody’s Cabins, now Moody’s Motel, remains a quarter mile drive offmoody cabins1018 (5) Rte 1 with 23 units, open mid-May to mid-October.  Accommodations have been upgraded since the 1930s days. Units include a screened porch, shower and toilet, automatic heat, TV, and this year – wireless internet. The nightly rate is now  $54-$64.

  Moodys1018 (4)A gift store added in 1998 is open May-December and carries Moody's-related items, apparel, Maine gifts, jewelry, and other items.

moodys cookbook Daughter Nancy Moody Genthner is the author of What’s Cooking at Moody’s Diner – 75 Years of Recipes and Reminiscences which contains favorite recipes, photographs and anecdotes related to the diner. It’s now in its second edition with 59 new recipes and more photographs and anecdotes.

 A trip to Maine is not complete without a stop at Moody’s, where its just like coming home.

11 comments:

Anonymous said...

This is really interesting history! Usually we learn about rulers and wars but this is so much more interesting, the history of on place.

Have a great day now!
Christer.

possum said...

Ah, yes, Moody's. My sister insisted we eat at Moody's - and we did, both going up to BaHaba and coming back to Portland.

Lois Evensen said...

It looks like a fantastic place. For some reason, I remember my parents talking about it. The cabin rates are still VERY reasonable. :)

Ginnie said...

Yum ! You are really "doing" the state of Maine and it's fun to follow.
I'm in Cape Cod as I write this so not too far from you...but it's back to NC on Tues. I'll catch up with you later.

Caryn said...

And you must have your custahd pie, if you go theah. :-)

Found you on Cottage by the Crane Lake.

Beatrice P. Boyd said...

Hi everyone and thanks for dropping by and especially for your comments.

Christer, finding out the history of these places is a lot of fun and Moody's Diner offered great food too.

Possum, glad to have brought back more memories of happy times.

Lois, we had heard of this diner before starting our road trip and passed it on our way here to Brunswick. It was so crowded that day (Columbus Day weekend) that we made a 30-minute backtracking drive back for breakfast and it was well worth the trip. It's a not-to-be missed destination when in this area.

Hi Ginnie, hope you are also having fun on your road trip. We have not been to Cape Cod yet, perhaps on a Massachusetts road trip. Thanks for dropping in on your travels!

Welcome Caryn, glad you found our blog and thanks for the advice too! Drop back anytime. We also enjoy Christer's blog.

grammie g said...

Hi Folks...this is so much fun seeing all the places so familar to me once again through your trip!!
Moody's dinner ..yes ate there quite a few times!!
I'm loving this!!
I don't know how I feel today...I guess tired and sore!!

Anonymous said...

BOY OH BOY!!!!! I'm really glad we're going to have breakfast there tomorrow morning.... More Blueberry Pancakes for me!!!!!
Your fellow Nomad

Beatrice P. Boyd said...

Hi Grammie G, glad to hear you are doing better and thanks for the return visit. We're happy to provide some happy memories through our posts. By the way, we passed through Lisbon today and had coffee at Mad Mike's!

Elaine said...

I love seeing old eating places that have stayed in the family for so many years. They sure beat eating at the chain restaurants, although those are a treat for us too because we have only a few here in Fairbanks.

Beatrice P. Boyd said...

Elaine, we thought that Moody's was so great that we ate there again 2 more times this weekend!