The Triangle Diner
Also known as: DHR File No. 138-5004
Why it's listed
This one-story diner at 27 West Gerrard Street in Winchester, Virginia, was manufactured in 1948 by Jerry O'Mahony, Inc. of Elizabeth, New Jersey, and shipped to the city by train. Its stainless-steel walls, light blue porcelain tile, curved corner windows, terrazzo floor, full-length counter and sunray-patterned back bar remain largely intact. Around 1960 the building was moved about 50 feet back on its lot, and a rear kitchen and restroom addition, wood siding over the upper half, a shed roof and a basement were added. The nomination says the owners planned to remove the siding and roof to restore the original look; the property was listed as vacant while work was in progress. It is significant as one of very few surviving prefabricated Moderne-period diners in Virginia and the older of two stainless-steel O'Mahony diners in the state. It also remains on its original site, and a neon sign with a clock stands in front.
Significance in brief: The nomination argues the diner is a well-preserved example of the Moderne/Stainless Steel Period of diner design (1945-1960) and meets Criterion C at the statewide level. It is the older of only two stainless-steel O'Mahony diners known in Virginia and one of few remaining on its original site. Fewer than ten prefabricated diners are said to survive in the state.
Machine-generated summary. This summary was generated by a language model from the official nomination document and has not been reviewed line by line by an editor. It may contain errors. Check the source document before relying on any detail. Source: nomination document (PDF) · National Archives catalog entry. NRHP reference 10000148, listed March 31, 2010. Summary generated October 2026 (model claude-sonnet-5-5, prompt v1.0-2026-10-29, confidence high).
Key facts
| Address | 27 W. Gerrard St., Winchester |
|---|---|
| County | Winchester |
| Listed | March 31, 2010 |
| Reference number | 10000148 |
| Resource type | Building |
| Period of significance | 1948 |
| Architect / builder | Jerry O'Mahony, Inc (Architect and manufacturer) |
| Architectural style | MODERN MOVEMENT/Moderne Diner |
| Criteria |
|
| Areas of significance | Architecture |
| Level of significance | State |
| Status (as stated in the nomination) | Listed function is vacant/not in use (work in progress); the owners planned to remove the T-111 siding and shed roof in a 2009-10 restoration. |
| Acreage | 0.2 |
| Within district | Winchester Historic District |
| Coordinates | 39.17867, -78.16960 (NPS GIS) |
What listing means for this property
National Register listing is honorary: it recognises significance and does not restrict what a private owner may do without federal money or permits. It unlocks the 20% federal rehabilitation tax credit for income-producing buildings, state credits in many states, and Section 106 review when federal agencies are involved. See what listing means in practice.
Noted as vacant in the nomination. Nomination documents can be decades old; current status may differ. If you are considering buying an empty listed property, read the due-diligence checklist.
General information, not legal or tax advice. Rules change; confirm with your State Historic Preservation Office or a qualified adviser.
Sources and further reading
- National Park Service, National Register of Historic Places database (snapshot May 2026), reference 10000148.
- Nomination form (PDF, National Archives) — catalog entry
- Wikipedia article (used for cross-checking only; text not reproduced here)
- Wikidata Q7840059
- This listing as JSON
Last updated October 2026. Found an error? See the editorial policy for how to report it.