Photo Courtesy of Evan Finch
The matchbook above, likely from the 1950’s or 1960’s, advertises for Knobby’s Drive-In, a mainstay in Indianapolis’ mid-20th century drive-in scene. The original Knobby’s, located at 52nd and Keystone, was founded in 1951 by William A. “Knobby” Knoll, a veteran who served in the Navy during WWII. A second location, at 38th and Shadeland, opened later, and featured a Polynesian-themed menu. The Knobby’s at 52nd and Keystone closed in 2001, and a BP is now in that location. The 38th and Shadeland location changed names and management for a few years but is also closed, and for a time served as a location for Steven Anderson’s A-OK Karate. Mr. Knoll passed away in 2010, and is interred in the Washington Park North Cemetery.
Prior to locating to 52nd and Keystone, Knobby’s stood on the south side of 38th Street, just across from or a little to the west of the entrance to the State Fair.
Thanks for the confirmation of that location, Alice. I saw it mentioned once while doing my research, but could not get confirmation. I believe the Wigwam (later the Tee Pee) was also in that general vicinity?
The Tee Pee was at the southeast corner of the state fair grounds. Corner of 38th and Fall Creek.
Yes, the Teepee was located at that intersection. Knobby’s was farther west and just to the east of the well-known Parkmoor restaurant and drive-in. A group of us giddy high-schoolers (about 1952) deicded to liven up our winter break by eating progressive-dinner fashion at all three: a hamburger at one, French fries at another, and a drink at the last one.
In 1955-1959 I lived on Guilford Avenue just above 38th Street and (at the time) within walking/bicycling distance of the fairground. One of my great joys at the time was bing taken to Knobby’s for a pork tenderloin sandwich I still recall.
By the way, I still recall my first grade teacher as P.S. 66, then on 38th street, Miss Eddy. Since then I’ve lived in eight foreign countries and at least 10 state but I still recall the Indianapolis of the 1950s
Good web site you’ve got here.. It’s hard to find excellent writing like yours nowadays.
I truly appreciate individuals like you! Take care!!
Is there any actual pic of the knobby’s on shadeland? I would love to be able to get one. My father proposed to my mother there and just celebrated their 50th anniversary.
I remember eating at Knobby’s on Shadeland as a child with my family. It was a very distinctive landmark building. I drove by it not long ago. Sad to see its vacant and neglected.
The Knobby‘s on Shadeland was the second store that was formed Keystone was the last one