It’s been too long since I’ve been Doorscaping. And so today I stopped on my daily walk to take a picture of a few historic though rather plain doors.
This is the door to my town’s oldest restaurant, Casa Orinda. It’s been in the same location for 84 years, predating the freeway through town, the tunnel that leads to the town and the town itself. It’s founder, John Snow, was a cowboy from Montana and thus it’s interior boasts of a mahogany bar, hand-carved reliefs and an antique gun collection. Although the ambiance has been described as “spaghetti western,” their signature dish is Southern Fried Chicken.
Even the storage unit at the back of the restaurant sports an antique lantern.
Across the street from Casa Orinda sits the De Laveaga Train Station which is only a landmark today. However from this spot, the short lived California and Nevada railroad hauled produce from the valley over the hills and to the docks.
It’s a very tiny structure but then the railway only catered to passengers in its final years. Today it remains locked.
However, someone put a welcome sign in front.
I’m sure you’ll all be welcome over at Norms’ Place for his weekly #ThursdayDoors challenge.
Saying nothing in particular 
This is a lovely collection of doors, Jan. Hugs.
Thanks! Things have been so crazy lately that getting out for a walk was a treat.
These are great doors!
Thanks Dan.
I’d love to see the inside, Jan. Great detailing on that first door and I really like the lantern above the second.
janet
It’s actually very dark inside Casa Orinda – there are no windows. But the idea of remodeling the old place is out of the question for many old-time Orinda residents.
Doors . . . Where would we be without them?
Very interesting assortment of doors, JT.
Take care —
Neil
So true. We can’t all go through windows or come down the chimney!
Love these!
Great stuff. That first one is gorgeous.
Thanks Norm – it’s some kind of stamped brass.
Lovely selection of doors. I especially like the first one and the history behind it. Glad you had a nice walk!
I am too – today it’s already 94 and the heat is still rising.
I’ve walked or driven by Casa Orinda many times and never noticed the nice door. No windows! They must have been hot yesterday when the power went out -it was 103 in the shade at our place just up the hill. (But maybe they have a big generator so they can stay open)
I imagine they probably shut down. Luckily for them, Monday is generally pretty quiet for restaurants. I went out for some fresh air early this Monday (around 7:30-8:00) and it was already muggy. Hope you guys are staying cool down there.
Wonderful doors and I really enjoyed hearing about Casa Orinda, Jan. Fun little train station.
There’s sth adorable about doors.
I do love it when I see a door that artistically designed. 🙂
Love that first door. I can’t imagine how that restaurant has survived in the same place, but good on it for doing so.
84 years old and specializes in fried chicken? Sign me up! That storage door, shot from that angle — that’s good stuff. Great doors!