That sounded rather suspect to meuntil someone gave me a book a couple of years ago that had that story in it. While the devastation to downtown Auburn shocking, that no one died or suffered a serious injury from the explosion was the most remarkable thing about that day. 14 Oz $22.95; New York Strip. The high cost of ingredients has taken a toll. Everyone in the community really came together that day. Hello, Great photos of the Toomers explosion. Abundant sunshine. "The Kopper Kettle explosion was the big event while I was at Auburn. And had attorney Andy Gentrys wife not asked him to stay home with the kids that morning instead of going to his law office upstairs at the Brownfield Building (which he owned, and which was completely destroyed), he would have been killed. It is still hard to believe it happened! Sinclair and his wife, Louise, now live in Charlottesville, Va. By the early 1980s, the block was rebuilt and the evidence of the blast was gone. Please avoid obscene, vulgar, lewd, Some stories want aroundthe joke that "somebody lit a match to the Kopper Kettle's chili", etc. I was living out at Gentilly Trailer Park and the explosion woke me up. 12 Oz $21.95; Special Combinations Dinners. But I didnt realize what happened until later that day when I went to Foy Union to watch the Super Bowl on a (really bad) big screen TV and heard somebody say downtown blew up!. Just amazing that no one was killed. * Cammy Koozies fund familys trip to Glendale They have the best snapper soup in the region! One of Georges early jobs was as a busser at The Open Kitchen on Morehead Street. I sat up having heard the tremendous explosion, and went back to bed. The restaurant's owners are facing federal tax charges after the allegedly failed to report employee wages. More than 70 businesses in the immediate vicinity were damaged . I was asleep in my apartment on West Magnolia, about a mile away, and the boom shook the whole building. Kopper Kettle is located at 1155 Maple Ave, Milton, ON L9T 0A5, Canada What is the internet address for Kopper Kettle? The explosion was caused, best anyone could figure, by a gas leak somewhere underneath one of the stores or restaurants (likely the Kettle), and it seriously was like a bomb went off, packed with the punch of at least 100 pounds of explosives it was later estimated. Remember it well. 10 reviews 0 Followers. Most days now, Morris picks him up and brings him to the restaurant, where he spends the morning talking to customers, telling stories, and eating his lunch. The Kopper Kettle is the place where one can savor Hoosier fried chicken, broiled prime steaks, and delicious seafood, served by lovely girls in peasant costumes. We learn about the restaurant serving Hoosiers and guests for 91 years, how to keep traditions alive while staying relevant, and thoughts about buying an existing restaurant. Follow. Thought I recognized Nancy. You have permission to edit this article. Don't knowingly lie about anyone "Having never been in war or anything like that, I certainly didnt know exactly how to interpret that. And it got up to like 27 degrees that day," he recalls. It was just like the movies you see on TV where there is a big explosion, the building rocks and all the windows start moving around, Patterson says. This item is available to borrow from 1 library branch. Double oaked and aged four years. I was at the corner of Mitcham Ave. and North Gay St. going over the railroad tracks when this happened. The Chili Avenue eatery was run by Edgar Anderson and his wife, Marion, who was known as Sandy. He lived near the Pentagon on Sept. 11, 2001, and says as his windows shook from the plane crash, he thought back to that January day in 1978. He grabbed his camera and ran up the street and began shooting pics. I used to have a tee shirt with a drawing of a kettles with an explosion coming out of the top with the date of the event on it, but lost it in an apartment fire the night of the millinneum when my own apartment caught on fire in Birmingham and everything was lost! "There was a clothing store back there, and there were these mannequins. Shirts couldnt have been printed up. But within a few years, the Andersons got out of the business because of Ed's health issues. Breast Ultrasound Screening Coming Direct to You! Today, the restaurants walls are covered with memorabilia, like caricatures of George and a former chef and waiter juggling dishes and rushing around, with captions in accented English. I was in Magnolia Dorm cafeteria for breakfast. We were going to the office after church to do a filling on my mother! I was the dispatcher for the City of Auburn the morning this occurred. I finally scanned them. He said he told the fire captain he smelled natural gas at the corner and then began getting ready to work that day, putting on his uniform in the bathroom of the fire station at the corner of Magnolia and Ross Street. James Patterson is a witness to both the 1978 Kopper Kettle explosion in downtown Auburn, and the 911 attack on the Pentagon in 2001. About 40 frames later must be a young Andy Gentry in center w/ glasses w/ the fire Chief. Called off services due to potential other gas leaks. Menu Order Online. Resolved: Release in which this issue/RFE has been resolved. Patterson said when the first plane flew into the World Trade Center, he thought it had to be small plane. "I have to think it was divine intervention that nobody got hurt," said McCord. I can say that I was rocked by the song and also by the Kopper Kettle.. That afternoon a big bunch of kids got together and we were playing footbal on the Drill Field. Not sorry they got caught. !< Bill Graham, AU78, [] final story in our three-part series looking back on the era-defining trauma-rama of the Kopper Kettle explosion. Built by Col. Kopper Kettle ($) 4.5 Stars - 13 Votes Select a Rating! The blast left more than 70 businesses damaged, and one small town reeling. Both George and Penny came from Greece in the 1960s. There was a dentists office along with an attorneys office on the second floor over the Kopper Kettle.. I didnt preach that day. TWER looks back on the era-defining trauma-rama with the help of some never before seen photos and old newspaper clippings first in a three-part series. They were hooking up hand lines from other sections of the town, different fireplugs.". He lived next to Super Foods and the blast knocked him out of his bed onto the floor. As of the 2020 census, the population was 628,270. Didnt have gas that day and it was cold. Mike Moore and I never heard the explosion but coming out we saw the smoke and walked down to see what had happened I remember paper everywhere things like sheets out of receipt pads. If this had happened today, it would be a much different outcome.. I was living at Dexter Arms apartments, across from Hardees, several blocks away. I remember the blast. Join the conversation on our Discord! In addition, we offer catering and carry out! I remember people showing up at our house with charts and billing statements to give my parents, and other things they found in their yards! Patterson remembers well the Auburn community coming together after the explosion at the Kopper Kettle. She was a senior in 78. I was sleeping late that morning as usual. Customers especially stocked up around the holidays, she said: "On some Thanksgivings, the number of pies sold approached a thousand!". It was my first BIG fire. Still, she does big business on Saturday mornings, when Pineville families come in for breakfast. For retired Auburn firefighter Allen McCord, Jan. 15, 1978, began much like any other Sunday morning shift except the air was bitterly cold and carried the scent of natural gas. Required fields are marked *, Like this story? It BLEW UP!" January 17, 2011 by Jeremy Henderson 27 Comments. At that time in 1978, Queens We Will Rock You was a big hit. The Greek Salad (above) is so massive, it comes on a platter. One week later, we met up again in a group of friends and that started a courtship and we got married in 1984. I had just bought my 1st camera. WOW! By 1984, the Kopper Kettle added a new lot that tripled its parking capacity. The restaurant's owners are facing federal tax charges after the allegedly failed to report employee wages. Pompadours on the Plains: the 50s revival at Auburn, Cammy Koozies fund familys trip to Glendale, An interview with Auburn YouTube sensation Chris Lowe, Former Auburn football kills elephant with just a bow and arrow, Crowd shots from the 1973 Auburn-Florida game, The Secret History of an Underground Iron Bowl, I survived the Kopper Kettle explosion and all I got was this t-shirt and a great song | The War Eagle Reader, Explosive Exclusive: 78 never before seen photos of the Kopper Kettle explosion of 1978 | The War Eagle Reader, Could Bieber Fever save the Toomers Oaks? "My office will aggressively pursue businesspeople who operate in such an illegal manner," McSwain said. I think I remember asking my roomie on the top bunk: "what was that!?" Then, the two puppies that were with me got up. I also had an appreciation of being in a place like Auburn where I saw the unity and the spirit that happened after that, he said. I immediately fell to the ground, and when I looked up, there were huge pieces of buildings so far up in the sky, I couldnt believe it, says Patterson. The owners of the Kopper Kettle Tavern, in Feasterville, are facing federal tax charges after they allegedly failed to collect and pay employment taxes to the IRS, prosecutors said. We are a family style dining restaurant, known for our famous pan fried chicken, delicious filet mignon and fresh seafood. He was out there on the streets, Patterson said. Rod Sinclair at the Episcopal College Center were recently recognized and read into the Congressional Record by Rep. Mike Rogers. Had his last red light, at the corner of Gay and Magnolia, lasted 10 more seconds, he would have been killed. Explosions In My Life. Threats of harming another Students were away from their apartments, cars were halted at just the right stoplight, and churchgoers, like Patterson, were just beginning to emerge. He was there on the infamous night in February 1967 when Speros Kokenes, who owned The Open Kitchen with his brother, Steve, was carjacked and murdered in what was believed to be a botched armed robbery. This was only a rumor by the time I got there (79), but I think I bought that smashed up AMC Matador. McCord made his usual trek up South College Street before taking a right on East Magnolia Avenue and checking the sign at Central Bank on the corner. or anything. At that moment, there was a big fireball in the sky and the heavy, heavy black smoke, he said. Deceptive and after the fact additional costs not disclosed on menu. Milk $2.25. Oh, and now we have video.). I lived in Magnolia Apartments just down the street. Patterson escaped another potentially deadly scenario that day. accounts, the history behind an article. "When you ask anyone that was there, the first thing that theyll tell you is it was damn cold. "When I came through the intersection there at Gay Street and Mag, I could smell a little natural gas.". When the attacks on 9/11 happened, Sinclair was once again present, but at a distance. (And if youd like to help us keep the obsession with Auburn lore unhealthy and the lights on through the winter, click here.). McDonald narrowly avoided getting caught up in the blast as he was behind Auburn First National (now AuburnBank) at the time, said McCord, who sprang into action with other firefighters on duty. $14 million dollar house maine; that morning. In the seventies after graduation and being away for several years my husband wrote a series of essays about being a student at Auburn. I was asleep in my bunk bed on the corner of East Glenn & Burton (about two blocks away?) Shortly after 8 a.m. on Jan. 15, 1978, when hardly anyone was out and moving, a gas leak in the Kopper Kettle exploded. I was very grateful that no one else was hurt or injured either.. Based on Redfin's Washington data, we estimate the home's value is $506,262. I was routed around the downtown area.. distance from my location to biloxi mississippi. At that time, Auburn was a sleepy little village still on the cusp of the economic boom it would see years later. Like many buildings in downtown, it also had apartments above it that students rented out. Open now 7AM - 7PM $$$$ Price range per person $10 - $25 No one even thought about looting or taking something that did not belong to us. And a song about the whole thing here. A short time later, I realized how cold had gotten. Sometimes you can still see the greasy spot on the new brick where it once existedAuburn history, I was a paid volunteer fireman for the Auburn Fire Department at tengine drove up.hat time. Its a big part of why he wanted to come back and speak at both St. Dunstans and to the city. I was working at the old Spur station on the corner of Gay and Glenn. The young man I had met the night before was with the group that was playing football. A second later, he hit the ground. I had already seen on TV, the planes had attacked the World Trade Center, he said. More than 70 businesses in the immediate vicinity were damaged . The building at 976 Chili Ave. now is occupied by the Lily of the Valley Church. Two memorable days!! Share. The Kopper Kettle used to serve breakfast, lunch, and dinner. Got dressed and headed to church (around the corner from the Kettle)then found out what had happenedEVERYTHING WAS RAZED!!! I had slept through the explosion. Menu for Kopper Kettle Restaurant provided by Allmenus.com. An hour later and people would have been going to church. She used to comp their meals, but she cant afford to do that anymore. FEASTERVILLE, PA One of the owners of the Kopper Kettle bar and restaurant in Feasterville has pleaded guilty to federal tax evasion charges. We had the mayor and all the bigwigs from the city come in there.". Much to everyones relief, not a single person was killed that day and no life-threatening injuries were sustained. * The Secret History of an Underground Iron Bowl. The blast shook the house and I jumped from bed into my bunker pants. Theres been an explosion. The dispatcher replied is there a fire? McDonald replied the corner is gone. I drove to the seen, parked behind Ware Jewelers, and was standing at the plug when the engine drove up. Get our Weekly recap with the latest news, articles and resources. Its her ability to listen, she finally decides. Identifying new opportunities for development based on business and process . Owners Stephen Eckler, 68, of Ivyland, and Robert Yost, 52, of Southampton, allegedly did not report $263,340 in cash wages to dishwashers between March 2012 and September 2016. The restaurant was closed at the time of the blast, according to a report by ABC News. Fried Chicken & Catfish $20.95. So I dozed back to sleep! "Whatever Happened To ?" I thought my 1 1/2 year old fell out of bed when it blew. Fixed: Release in which this issue/RFE has been fixed.The release containing this fix may be available for download as an Early Access Release or a General Availability Release. Welcome To Kopper Kettle Monday - Friday 5:00 AM - 2:30 PM Saturday 5:00 AM - 11:30 AM See Breakfast Menu See Lunch Menu " Click to call (704)-588-1164 Breakfast Hours Monday - Friday 5am - 11am Saturday 5am - 11:30am Lunch Hours Monday - Friday 11am-2:30pm A LITTLE ABOUT A 50 year story My roommate and I sat straight up in bed and I said, Have we been bombed? Being an elementary-aged child in the 60s always made us wary that we were going to get nuked! He thought a small plane had crashed into the downtown area. Firefighters continued working on the blaze and to keep the natural gas fires under control for the rest of the day. Amy was very discrete. The Kopper Kettle Tavern is located at 1985 Bridgetown Pike in Feasterville-Trevose, Pennsylvania. Dang I dont remember it looking that devastated. "The thing that everyone talked about was the pies," said Kristine Cintorino of Chili, who was a Kopper Kettle waitress for 10 years. Share with Us. Auburn grad who witnessed both the Kopper Kettle Explosion and 9/11 to speak at St. Dunstan's and Boykin Center. "I went up there on the top of that on the fly section and the people had hand lines down there on the other buildings because there was about a quarter of a block that was burnt up," he said. Dad here: Great story son. No racism, sexism or any sort of -ism (renews at {{format_dollars}}{{start_price}}{{format_cents}}/month + tax). while watching the Super Bowl up in Aspen), that knocks my mom out of bed upstairs at the Baptist Student Union a block away and makes her think (thanks to the mushroom cloud) that the Russians are attacking (because take out Auburn and you take out America), that makes my dad think that God is talking to him, telling him he should maybe change the guest sermon he was writing for First Baptist Church down in the churchs basement how does something like that not kill someone? And I think thats one of the strengths that Auburn offered students for a lot of years. How are there not bodies in the streets? Press question mark to learn the rest of the keyboard shortcuts. Check out our extensive gallery of Brad Ashmores never before seen photos from the day of the explosion here.