Wimpey’s Lil Toot Drive In, Mt Hood Highway, Kelso Oregon
Whimpy’s Lil Toot Drive In, Kelso Oregon was located across the street from the Kelso Store when today’s Orient Drive was the highway to Mount Hood. It was owned and operated by Clarence “Whimpy” Eri. Once the modern Highway 26 was built, in the mid 1960’s, it bypassed the old route to Mount Hood and many small businesses such as this had to close their doors.
Kelso Oregon is located just west of the town of Sandy between Sandy and Boring.
When I was very young , 4-5 years old , my father worked at the gas station across from the Little Toot . I spent quite a bit of time there and I have Uncle Wimpey’s coronet that he played in the Sandy High School band and some of his parents china and dishes . I still see it in my mind when I drive by there . A very wonderful memory from my childhood .