History
In 1947 the Bar-B-Q Ranch was opened on the busy Valley Turnpike (Route 11) by Eugene Taylor and Jean Heatwole Taylor. Interstate 81 would be built about 15 years later. Originally take-out only, the drive-in restaurant was added soon after.
The center portion of the building that is now the kitchen was all that was originally built. Eugene and Jean lived in a small house just north of their restaurant. During the first years everyone ate outside. The Taylors added wooden wings to the buildings to allow for cars to pull up for curb service. Unfortunately, only five years after opening his restaurant Mr. Taylor had a massive heart attack and died. Mrs. Taylor continued to operate the business for nearly 14 years during which time her three children, Penny, Ronnie, and Terry, all worked at the restaurant to help out. It was also during this time that Mrs. Taylor contracted a company out of Texas to put up the metal car ports we still have today. While the dining room was added, most people ate curbside for years.
Early 1950's take-out restaurant.
Jean & Eugene Taylor
The Taylors added wooden wings to the buildings to allow for cars to pull up for curb service. Unfortunately, only five years after opening his restaurant Mr. Taylor had a massive heart attack and died. Mrs. Taylor continued to operate the business for nearly 14 years during which time her three children, Penny, Ronnie, and Terry, all worked at the restaurant to help out. It was also during this time that Mrs. Taylor contracted a company out of Texas to put up the metal car ports we still have today. While the dining room was added, most people ate curbside for years.
In 1966, Jean Taylor leased the restaurant to Richard Harpine. Mr. Harpine had had great plans for the restaurant. He added the booths in the dining area. Because he was busy running three other area businesses at the same time, he only ran the restaurant for about 17 months.
Mrs. Taylor then sold the business to Dennis Bowman in 1968. Mr. Bowman also had a massive heart attack and the business was then sold to Leon Armentrout. Mr. Armentrout owned and ran the business for about three or four years. It was then sold to Noland and James McHone in 1984.
The McHones renovated the restaurant; Faye Bland reopened it October 1, 1984. She has been the owner of the business (but not the building) since that time. While continuing the original Bar-B-Q Ranch menu, Faye has added many menu items. She has also hosted Cruise-Ins for many local car and motorcycle clubs, operated concessions at the local go-kart track and at local car shows, served James Madison University's Dukes Club, and catered many wedding parties, and other events.
Though there have been many changes in the Bar-B-Que Ranch's ownership and employees throughout the years, one constant has remained. Margie Minnick Heatwole, Jean Taylor's sister-in-law, has been working as a waitress since the beginning. More affectionately known as "Til", Margie continues to wait on customers, some now third and fourth generations! Wow, 68 years and counting!
The above history was told by Margie Heatwole, as she best remembers it.