Skip to Main Content

Charleston, West Virginia: Shoney's Big Boy Museum

Outdoor mini-exhibit on 1947 founding of a fast food chain. The historical plaque credits Alex Schoenbaum with starting what became Shoney's Big Boy as the Parkette Drive-In here. He expanded his Shoney's chain over 40 years to include 1,900 restaurants.

Parkette Drive In - Shoney's Big Boy

Address:
Charleston, WV
Directions:
Just east of US Hwy 60 and the Patrick St. bridge, west end of Kanawha Blvd. as it curves at the river. Across from Drug Emporium.
Save to My Sights

Visitor Tips and News About Shoney's Big Boy Museum

Reports and tips from RoadsideAmerica.com visitors and Roadside America mobile tipsters. Some tips may not be verified. Submit your own tip.

Shoney's Big Boy monument/museum.

Shoney's Big Boy Museum

Interesting that the closest Shoney's restaurant is over 2 miles away from this monument/museum.

[Stephen Francia, 06/02/2020]

Big Boy.

Shoney's Big Boy Museum

For early drive-in restaurant history buffs.

[dottecom, 06/27/2016]

Parkette Big Boy mini-museum.

Shoney's Big Boy Museum

At the very west end of Kanawha Blvd., as it curves to join with the Patrick Street bridge, is a lonely structure commemorating the location of the very first Shoney's restaurant. The forgotten Big Boy mascot stands at the top of a pedestal, forever holding up his Big Boy Burger. The sign directing visitors calls it a museum, but there is no inside. Just a few windows full of memorabilia & a plaque giving the history of the restaurant and its founder. I only spotted one tiny keychain bear. I guess he and Big Boy aren't on speaking terms, seeing that the furry guy replaced him.

[Jane Geoh, 07/23/2012]

Nearby Offbeat Places

John Brown's Noose: WV State MuseumJohn Brown's Noose: WV State Museum, Charleston, WV - 3 mi.
Lincoln Mourns West VirginiaLincoln Mourns West Virginia, Charleston, WV - 4 mi.
Hidden Figures: Katherine JohnsonHidden Figures: Katherine Johnson, Institute, WV - 6 mi.
In the region:
Bridge Walk: 88 Stories High, Fayetteville, WV - 38 mi.

Latest Tips Across Roadside America

Catch up on the latest discoveries from the road.

Explore Thousands of Oddball Tourist Attractions!

Unique destinations in the U.S. and Canada are our special obsession. Use our attraction recommendation and maps to plan your next road trip.

My Sights

My Sights on Roadside America

Create and Save Your Own Crazy Road Trip! ...Try My Sights

Mobile Apps

Roadside America app: iPhone, iPad Roadside America app for iPhone, iPad. On-route maps, 1,000s of photos, special research targets! ...More

Roadside Presidents app: iPhone, iPad Roadside Presidents app for iPhone, iPad. POTUS landmarks, oddities. ...More

West Virginia Latest Tips and Stories

Latest Visitor Tips

Sight of the Week

Sight of the Week

JFK's World Famous Twine Ball, Highland, Wisconsin (Mar 18-24, 2024)

SotW Archive

USA and Canada Tips and Stories

More Sightings