The Rockingham Tastee-Freez was built in 1954 and remains relatively untouched to this day. It is an incredible flash-back to the 1950's, time warped as if you never left the decade. It remains an original twin window walk-up drive-in experience. This is the way that all drive-ins originated and it is unbelievable that it is still in existence to this day. When the store first opened its doors in 1954 it just served soft serve ice cream. A few years later they started serving pop, chips and hot dogs. Today it serves all types of sandwiches and side orders along with Tastee-Freez soft serve ice cream. Back in the 1960's, Rockingham Tastee-Freez was famous for their fish sandwiches. Today it continues the tradition of daily specials including a unique soft serve flavor such as Raspberry or Orange Pineapple. Rockingham Tastee-Freez has only had three owners in its 50 year history. The previous owner ran the location for thirty-eight years. The current owner, Tara Kirshenmann, has operated the drive-in since 1993. It is one of the oldest Tastee-Freez's in the country and one of the greatest pieces of Americana that there is.
Tastee-Freez of Davenport, is located at 3950 Rockingham Road in Davenport, Iowa. Rockingham is Iowa Highway 22 which was one of the main arteries into town and continues to be a significant route on Davenport's western corridor. Rockingham Road also was the home to one of the first McDonald's in the state of Iowa as well as Sandy's which was purchased by Hardees in 1973.
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| Ever wonder what that building is next to the Tastee-Freez? It was the Zephyr gas station on Rockingham Road. Taken Sept. 16, 1984 by Walt Wimer. Note the Tastee-Freeze restaurant in the background! Walt's comments: This is an old 30s cottage station that was probably originally a Pure station. Davenport was on the western edge of Pure's territory so this is likely. (Thanks to David Serra for Pure info). Photo was taken around dusk and the sign (without wording) is already lit. Special thanks to www.gassigns.org/zephyr.htm |  |
11/13/2008 ... Hi, here's a little bit of info in relation to the Tastee Freeze. Since you mention the old Zephyr station to the east of TF, I thought that you'd like to know that the little building to the west used to be Ganzo's Tacos MANY (the 60's) years ago. Thanks for the great website, it wisks me back to my childhood every time I visit! - Mike
