Missouri Couple Discovers and Plans to Restore Hidden Piece of Wichita History
A Missouri couple has uncovered a long-hidden piece of Wichita’s history—a 1947 Valentine’s diner that had been concealed for nearly five decades in Winfield, Kansas.
The diner, initially opened in Wichita, was later moved to Winfield in 1968, where a building was constructed around it, hiding the structure until it was revealed during a demolition project last year.
Chris and Kristy Simmons, the couple who purchased the diner in the summer of 2023, are now working to restore the historic eatery to its former glory.
Chris Simmons described how the discovery was made. “They were demolishing a building, and as he drove past, he realized there was a diner hidden inside the front portion of the structure,” Simmons said.
The diner, originally a thriving grill, transitioned into a disco hall in the late 1960s after the owner’s son expanded the building. The transformation left the diner hidden behind walls, forgotten by time.
The Simmonses believe the diner once operated near what is now McConnell Air Force Base in Wichita during the 1940s.
However, they face challenges in tracing its exact history due to the loss of historical records. “Unfortunately, over time, those records of what serial number went to what property have been long gone,” Chris Simmons noted.
The couple hopes to restore the diner to its original state and include it in their town’s historical registry in Pleasant Hill, Missouri, where it will eventually reopen. Renovations are expected to take two years, but the couple remains optimistic about bringing the 1940s experience back to life.
“We don’t just want it to be a place to grab a burger,” Kristy Simmons explained. “We want to create an immersive experience where people feel like they’ve stepped back in time to the 1940s.”
This project marks the second historic restoration for the Simmonses, who are also working to revive a historic five-and-dime store in their town. The couple hopes their efforts will inspire others to appreciate the past and preserve history for future generations.
Chris Simmons expressed optimism about finding the right team to help run the diner, likening the venture to the iconic Field of Dreams. “Once the word gets out, we hope to find people who love this kind of history and are passionate about keeping it alive.”