Shannon's Trivia Winner: We've got our first two-timer

Dairy Queen at Fourth and Union streets in the 1950s.

By Tom Peterson with photos and background by John Foley

The Dalles, Ore., June 24, 2024 — This weeks question proved quite sticky like mango rice.

We asked the number of restaurants that have occupied the former Dairy Queen location at the corner of Fourth and Union Streets, and we received two responses.

One was the most correct.

“I want to amend my answer somewhat because the Chinese restaurant did change names.  I know of 4 restaurants that were at 4th and Union, and another to come.  Dairy Queen of course, China One, Wong’s, and Tacos Del Rio. Pho Saigon will be open soon,” wrote Bob Rhoades.

Merry Christmas, Bob! You have won the Trivia Contest twice in three weeks. Quite impressive.

Our official trivia judges took the amendment into consideration and approved the answer as no limit on answers was ever set in the creation of this competition.

Bob, thanks for your tenacity and for bringing this question of multiple answers to scrutiny. We are capping answers per person to two.

Bob, come on down and collect that $25 gift certificate for Shannon’s Ice Cream.

Jordan Clymer also gave a pretty thorough response as well.

“I believe five? Dairy Queen, then Hunan One, another two Chinese restaurants I don't remember the names of, then Tacos Del Rio,” he wrote.

Nice work Jordan!

Here’s to you Bob Rhoades, official two-timer in Shannon’s Trivia. Shannon’s awaits. Shannon’s Ice Cream 318 E. Fourth Street, scooping the dream daily from noon to 9 p.m. It’s across the street from the Civic Auditorium. Look for the boneshaker out front.

Puzzlers Need to Know More

Dairy Queen Time Capsule

Tom Foley and Farwell Booth in front of the foley house around 1943. Farwell was a wonderful man and became a very important influence in Tom's life after his father Pat Foley died in 1933.

In 1953, Tom Foley worked for the Kelly's in their wheat ranch and was a volunteer for The Dalles Fire Dept. Farwell Booth ( Bill Booth's father) had married Tom's cousin Helen years earlier and was a local realtor. Farwell told Tom that the Dairy Queen was for sale and he should buy it.

Tom told Farwell that he didn't know anything about the restaurant business, but he took Farwell's advice and bought the Dairy Queen. 

Tom's first day of business was July 1, 1953. The building had two walk-up windows was only open seasonally and only served ice cream. Tom married Marjory Bush; they became wonderful business partners. They added hot dogs first, then hamburgers and fries which created enough customers to keep it open year-round.

Tom dressed up as a clown in the mid 50s to promote his business.

Foreshadowing

Here's Tommy Foley in 1932 sitting on the sidewalk in front of the Foley House on 4th St. not knowing that the house behind him at 4th and Union would be replaced with his first business the Dairy Queen.

Here is the former Dairy Queen site as it stands today. Much work has been underway at the site as new flooring, paint and kitchen upgrades have been installed in the last few months.