Nostalgia: Southern Indiana Diners & Dives with Table Jukeboxes

I have always loved jukeboxes. This is probably because my Nana had a neighbor who turned his garage into a little soda shop. Each booth had a little jukebox on it. But I don't think that I've ever been to a restaurant that actually had mini jukeboxes at each table. I did a little research and found a few that used to be in Evansville, Indiana.

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A Little Jukebox History

If you are of a certain age, you know what a jukebox is. But your kids and much younger friends might not realize how cool they are. Jukeboxes first gained popularity in the early 20th century, reaching their peak in the mid-20th century. Serving as the precursor to modern-day streaming services, these musical contraptions allowed patrons to choose their favorite songs for a small fee, creating a personalized musical experience that resonated with the masses and continues to evoke fond memories even in the digital age.

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Official Research Thanks to Facebook

I love the Facebook group You Grew Up in Evansville, IN If.... It's a great resource to ask questions about Evansville and to read about the memories that residents have made here. I came across a question about tabletop jukeboxes and I found out that there were several cool eateries that had them.

Marsha Phelps Armstrong

"I worked at Woods Drug Store at the lunch counter in the 60s, and we had the jukebox on the tables in the booths."

PHOTO: canva

Ricky Morell

"Yes, Ol ' Swaggs that used to be on First Avenue & Lousiana St. had them in every booth on the family room side."

Karen Warner Kuehr

"Danced to that jukebox at Jim & Joe’s many a night as a kid. My dad worked at Whirlpool and it was a favorite spot for dinner/drinks."

Photo by Spencer Davis on Unsplash

Nancy Freels Datzman

"I'm pretty sure it was "Hoosier Boy". I recall going there in the late '60s/early 70s. I was fascinated by the jukeboxes and they gave you an ENORMOUS amount of fries in your burger basket."

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Gallery Credit: Stephen Lenz