​White Castle, 1930s
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How does the architecture of the building reflect the name?

• If a building had a business called White Castle, it would make sense that the building was designed to look like a white castle.  McDonald’s restaurants often have golden arches that are part of the building. Mexican and Italian restaurants are sometimes built or remade to look like buildings that would be found in Mexico or Italy.  In the 1920s, 1930s, and 1940s it became popular for some buildings to be built in such unusual ways that they became known by tourists and are called “roadside architecture.” Buildings were constructed to resemble dogs, ducks, coffee pots, elephants, and even a man’s hat. If this interests you, you could make a list of all the buildings you see in Columbus that you think have been designed to resemble their name or search for other examples of “roadside architecture.” They are often found in places where many tourists visit.

What is porcelain? Why was it white in color?

• Porcelain is like a type of clay that, after it is baked, becomes hard, white, and glazed looking—like a piece of china (like a dish). White Castles started in small buildings of white brick. The color white was to remind people the restaurants were very clean both inside and out.  The buildings were made to look like small castles to reinforce the name of the restaurant. The first White Castles were built in 1921 in Kansas, but the headquarters of White Castle moved to Columbus in 1934—many people were driving cars or took the streetcars.  It was easy to see a White Castle. The castle-like buildings also suggested that the business and the building were here to stay.  Over time, White Castles were no longer built of brick but of white enamel panels that looked like porcelain.

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