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This is a 1950’s dinner plate from the Apache Land Cafe, part of the Apache Land Village shopping center, motel and cafe in the small mining town of Globe, Arizona. Sadly today only the lodge remains, the shopping center and cafe have long gone out of business. I’ve included a vintage post card and travel magazine showing the cafe in it’s heyday. Notice the magazine ad uses the term “refrigeration” instead of air conditioning, and the cafe has a “ladies’ lounge.”
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Allee Willis
I absolutely love when I own an artifact from a place and have all the backup material as well – postcards, pamphlets, old photos, anything that shows the ambiance that surrounded the piece as it was being used in its heyday.
There’s no question that if I were driving along the highway I would have hit the brakes at anything called “Apache Land Caf√© and Dining Room”. Although as someone who has felt menopausal since they were born when it comes to sweating, the word “refrigeration” would be enough to make me order to go.
Would kill to see photos of the “ladies’ lounge”. Though for something called Apache Land it doesn’t look especially Apache themed. But I can’t imagine them missing an opportunity to decorate the bathroom with at least a few feathers.
The plate itself is gorgeous. Is it China or please pretty please Melmac?
Michael Ely
Melmac would be grand, but this is heavy china (made by Wallace China, same company that produced Western cowboy china for restaurants).
Don’t know for sure, but someone once told me that the inside of the Apache Cafe featured large Indian design mosaics made from glass and stone and beads.
For more AZ Native American themed motif, check out this totally kitsch motel – http://www.galerie-kokopelli.com/wigwam/
Allee Willis
I actually passed by the Arizona TeePees when I drove cross country from Manhattan to Los Angeles when I moved west in 1976. I was hell-bent and determined to stay at that motel on our fourth night of travel. We didn’t know the name of it though and it was pre-Internet so once we got there there were no vacancies left. I remember picking up some food at a place within eyeshot so we stared at it for about a half an hour and then drove on. It would have been too painful to stay at some other place knowing those teepees were just out of reach.
The teepee motel along Route 66 in California still remains, thank God.
riddle
wow………. to find another plate like I’ve had displayed on my mantle for over 30 yrs ! my late husband was born in Globe, Az and we had found that plate at a flea market in Colorado springs. It had meaning to us…….. connecting my husband to his birth place.
Do you know if it has value….?
Allee Willis
I’m hoping that Michael, who owns and posted this incredible plate, sees this comment and answers because he really knows his stuff about Arizona and collectibles from there. He has quite a collection and lives in Arizona as well.
Not only is the plate spectacular but that you get to see the postcard and ad for the Lodge itself is pretty cool. I’m glad it brings back memories.
As to value, I really don’t know, Someone like Michael who really knows collectibles from this area would have a better idea. I have a massive, and I stress MASSIVE collection of dinner plates (and everything else), and if I owned this it would certainly be up there with my favorites. But I’m strictly a thrift shop, flea market, eBay personl so never buy anything unless I find it pretty cheap. But my guess is if it were in an antique shop it could be anywhere from $25 -$65. But again, so not my specialty so that’s just a guess.
Michael Ely
First of all, hi to Allee. Sorry I haven’t posted for over a year, but things have been rocky. Still, I check in from time to time to see how things are going. Also, still haven’t finished our Allee birdhouse, but it’s almost complete and will share soon. Love ya, Allee! You’re the best and coolest.
As to the plate, it is indeed rare and the value (depending on condition) runs from $65 to $125.
Allee Willis
Great to hear from you, Michael! We miss you around here. I do hope the rocky times end soon and we are always eager to see your posts and have a chat. (Chat is excellent during rocky times, especially when it’s about gorgeous dinner plates.)
Great hearing what the real value is. Definitely doesn’t surprise me. So Riddle, not only do you have great memories but a truly great (and valuable) plate!