Do You Know Which Wichita Falls Business Currently Occupies This 60-Year-Old Building?
I came across the above image of a vintage postcard for a Gillard’s Restaurant in Wichita Falls online recently. Since I hadn’t heard of Gillard’s, I wondered what the old building was being used for today. Here’s what I found:
Back in the 1950s 104 E. Scott is where you would have found Gillard’s Famous Restaurant, pictured above. According to the back of the vintage postcard from Gillard’s, “A typical Texas welcome awaits you at Gillard’s Famous Restaurant.” Where you will experience “The choicest of seafoods and excellent steaks. Complete family service – children welcome. Pleasant atmosphere and year round air conditioning.”– Mr. and Mrs. Homer Perkins, Owners and Managers.
And that’s about all I know about that.
Today if you make your way past 104 E. Scott Street in Wichita Falls you will find The Branding Iron Restaurant & Catering. Originally opened in October of 1974 by Floyd Styles and a Mr. Crouch, The Branding Iron is now owned by Larry Hise. The Branding Iron serves up a variety of home-style Texas barbeque combos, plates and sandwiches and is definitely a favorite among local Wichitans.
I’m not sure what else this building was used for after Gillard’s and before The Branding Iron, perhaps someone can enlighten me, but for some reason along the way the building has completely lost its character and become a windowless box. Kind of a shame.
If you know anything more about the history of this building please share your knowledge in the comments section below!
Here is a photo of the building as The Branding Iron today:
Here is an overlay animation I made using the then and now photos of the building:
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