Main Diner

Westfield, New York

Circa 1920s

Emmanuel Triantafelow purchased a Ward and Dickinson Diner on September 26, 1934 and placed it on his lot located at Elm and Main Streets.  It became the Main Diner still enjoyed in Westfield, today.  The W&D #36, built in 1925 was sold and taken to Florida from which it was repurchased by John Stead and taken to Erie PA, named Stead's Diner. Stead sold it to Triantafelow since he had another diner in Erie.  

The original part of the Main Diner which includes the counter and counter stools will be celebrating 100 years this year, 2025  Happy Anniversary, Main Diner!

Ward & Dickinson

Lee Dickinson lived in Silver Creek, NY and made his money on land speculations and oil drilling especially in Florida and Texas.  He was definately the financial backbone of the company.  During the hayday of the company in 1925-1927, Mr. Dickinson was mayor of the villag.  Charles A. Ward previously came from Clyde, Ohio to run the Powers Hotel in 1921.  Prior to running the hotel, he was in Colorado and West Virginia.  Eventually, he became interested in building diners and got out of the business of running hotels.  

The company built approximately 65 diners in 1926.  Some of the highlights were the diners sold to a Buffalo (5), Cleveland (10) and Toledo (7) chain of diners.  Additional diners were built and transported to New Jersey, Michigan and Meadville PA. In 1926, one hundred dining cars were completed with 96 in operation as reported by the Silver Creek Times. In 1927, nine dining cars were sent to Toronto, Canada.

On May 5, 1927 the Ward & Dickinson Company (later changed to Ward & Dickinson Inc.) had that year's model dining car on display in front of their factory on Central Avenue in Silver Creek according to the Silver Creek Times.