The Oakley Diner
A rare Art Deco streamline diner from 1939, prefabricated in New Jersey and exhibited at the 1939 World’s Fair before decades of service on the East Coast. Now restored in remote Utah, it stands as the only surviving pre-war O’Mahony diner west of the Mississippi River.
At a glance
This 60-by-16-foot dining car, originally designated Jerry O’Mahony Diner #1107, exemplifies the Streamline Moderne style of the late 1930s. Built to mimic a rail dining car, it features steel-frame construction and Art Deco detailing. The diner operated for decades under different owners and names—first in Massachusetts, later as Tommy’s Deluxe Diner in Rhode Island for four generations—before its relocation and restoration in Utah.
History
Manufactured at the Elizabeth, New Jersey factory of the Jerry O’Mahony Diner Company in 1939, the diner was displayed at the 1939 New York World’s Fair. After the exposition, Al McDermott purchased it and relocated it to Fall River, Massachusetts, where it operated for 14 years.
In 1953, Greek immigrant Tommy Borodemos acquired the diner and transported it to Middletown, Rhode Island, where it became Tommy’s Deluxe Diner. Under his stewardship and that of his descendants, it served the community for four generations until closing in May 2006.
Utah businessman Keith Walker purchased the diner in 2007 and transported it to Oakley. Following a year of restoration, it reopened in July 2008. The National Park Service added it to the National Register of Historic Places on August 21, 2009.
What you see
The diner’s distinctive profile reflects the Streamline Moderne aesthetic—curved lines, polished steel, and horizontal striping that echoed the design language of streamliner trains. Its compact 60-by-16-foot dimensions are characteristic of O’Mahony’s prefabricated construction methods. The steel-frame structure represents the engineering precision for which the O’Mahony company was known.
Cultural significance
The Jerry O’Mahony Diner Company earned a reputation as the “Cadillac” of diner manufacturers, producing approximately 2,000 diners between 1917 and 1941. The company’s motto—”In our line, We lead the world”—reflected its dominance in the industry.
Of the company’s output, only four pre-war Art Deco streamline diners remain operational. The Oakley Diner holds particular distinction as the sole surviving example west of the Mississippi River, making it a rare testament to American diner culture and Streamline Moderne design on the western landscape.
Key facts
- Built: 1939, Elizabeth, New Jersey (Jerry O’Mahony Diner Company, serial #1107)
- Dimensions: 60 feet × 16 feet
- Style: Streamline Moderne Art Deco
- Exhibited: 1939 New York World’s Fair
- National Register: Listed August 21, 2009
- Location: Oakley, Utah, United States
- Coordinates: 40.7161° N, 111.3° W
Practical information & getting there
The Oakley Diner is located in Oakley, Utah, a remote mountain community. For current hours, visiting information, and details about dining services, contact the establishment directly or check local tourism resources in Summit County, Utah.
Sources & resources
Find it on the map
See this place and what’s around it →📷 Diventa un fotografo di Cultural Heritage Online
Condividi le tue foto dei luoghi: restano pubblicate con la tua firma come autore. Più vengono viste, più ti fai conoscere — e presto un concorso premierà le foto più apprezzate.
Accedi o registrati gratis per aggiungere una fotoDo you manage this place?
This page is read by travellers and heritage enthusiasts who find it on Google. Keep it accurate — and make it work for you. Free for non-profit heritage institutions.