THE
ELK REFLECTS
Momma Payne’s Diner Displays Clendenin History
I
f you have stopped by Momma Payne’s Diner in Clendenin lately, you have probably noticed the large cut stone against the wall. This stone was one of two stones recovered from the former Clendenin High School/Clendenin Junior High School property. One stone is now located in the Museum of the Elk River Communities and the second stone was donated to Momma Payne’s Diner so that it’s history could be shared with the local residents. Richard Bashlor, who volunteers at the Museum of the Elk River Communities, said, “In 1982 we were laying a new sewer line for Clendenin Junior High from the locker rooms toward the old sewage plant. We found these two large stones that we believe were part of the old foundation which was laid up in stone. These two stones may have been cut out of the foundation to create fire exits which were added at a later date.” He said, “They may have just thrown them over the river bank. We had to have a backhoe to help recover the stones.” One of the stones was donated to Andrea Underwood, owner of Momma Payne’s Diner, because she has a lot of local history displayed at her restaurant located at 14 Main Street in Clendenin. There
FEBRUARY 2021
L-R Carolyn Pirnat, Richard Bashlor and Harry Lynn
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are numerous old photographs of Clendenin under glass at their counter as well as framed memorabilia on the walls. Andrea said, “We originally wanted to give our restaurant a diner theme featuring vintage cars and vinyl records, but over the years we have also incorporated a lot of Clendenin history. Everyone enjoys seeing the Town’s early photographs.” Carolyn Pirnat, Harry Lynn and Richard Bashlor, volunteers at
