08/11/2026
Viz’s, mentioned in this article, is now known as Wally’s in Buckley.
Hornet’s Nest drive-through, 1954 –
The nation’s first drive-through restaurant is generally credited to Red’s Giant Hamburg on Route 66 in Springfield, Missouri, which opened its windows to motorists in 1947. The following year, In-N-Out Burger in Baldwin Park, California introduced a ground-breaking two-way intercom system for ordering.
Enumclaw was not far behind. The Hornet’s Nest on the Enumclaw-Black Diamond Road was constructed as a 240-square-foot building with a roof twice as large. Built in 1951 and seen in this May 6, 1954, photo from King County Assessor records, the Hornet’s Nest drive-through was first operated by Lizzie E. Hansen.
The eatery’s first mention appeared in the September 18, 1952, issue of the Enumclaw Courier-Herald, with an invitation to choose the name of Hansen’s new In-And-Out Drive, with a $25 cash prize. The restaurant opened the next day, September 19. Six weeks later, Hansen announced the winning name: “I would like to take this means to thank all who took part in the contest and for all those participating and making the business a success. The prize winners for the new In and Out Drive are: First prize, John Dickson of Enumclaw for ‘Hornet’s Nest.’ Second prize went to Jerry Stroup of Enumclaw and third prize to Robert Demko of Buckley. – Lizzie E. Hansen.”
John H. Dickson (1918-2014), who worked in logging and road building while in Enumclaw, and his wife Helen (Baird), were part of the Dickson clan, many of whom still call the Plateau their home.
The name, Hornet’s Nest, was undoubtedly related to the 1949 merger of the Enumclaw and Buckley school districts into the White River District. Hornet was the merged school’s chosen mascot with maroon and gold as colors. In 1953, voters rejected the brief marriage and the districts separated. But like many divorces, the two schools couldn't agree on who kept the Hornet mascot and school colors, so they both did.
During the 1950s and 60s, the Hornet’s Nest became a popular drive-through eatery, thanks to its strategic location halfway between Black Diamond and Enumclaw. The name became a landmark, noted in real estate directions and as a school bus stop. The restaurant also instituted phone orders as early as November 1953, according to one of their weekly Courier-Herald ads, “Phone orders solicited and promptly filled.”
By January 1957, the restaurant was under new management. Mrs. Kathryn V***a changed the name slightly to Hornet’s Nest In-N-Out. In her announcement, V***a introduced herself as, “a local resident” and promised “to give the same efficient service and quality of food as has been given in the past.” V***a lasted two years.
In November 1959, the restaurant was again under new management as disclosed in a newspaper photo accompanied by a caption that read: “The Hornet’s Nest is a busy spot along Highway 5 (now 169) just north of Enumclaw. Mrs. J.C. Kittinger serves burgers that bring ‘em back for more! Delicious food, prompt service, ample parking space, and a pleasant picnic area makes a stop at the Hornet’s Nest an enjoyable event. Open daily, except Monday, from 11 a.m.” The following year, the Hornet’s Nest offered free Dad’s Root Beer with each hamburger on Saturdays and Sundays.
Throughout the years, the Hornet’s Nest advertised often to attract new customers. In October 1963, they offered Hunters’ Breakfast Specials including ham, bacon, sausage, eggs, toast, waffles, doughnuts, and coffee, and stayed “Open around the clock, Friday through Sunday.”
Just south of the Hornet’s Nest was the Lyle Motel, which in September 1966 was approved to add a trailer park to its business. In 1968, the eatery was once again under new management, with open hours of 11 am to 11 pm daily, and until 1 am on Fridays and Saturdays. In September 1969, ownership changed again, this time under Jerry Keeler, who advertised his regular hours as Sunday to Thursday and Friday-Saturday 11 am to midnight.
The Enumclaw High School student newspaper selected the Hornet’s Nest as the Featured Firm in its February 5, 1971, issue. The article noted that the business had reopened after a shutdown. The Drive-In offered specials such as the Hornet Burger for 26¢, soft drinks for 11¢, and four hamburgers for $1.00. The account continued, “The Hornet’s Nest Drive-In has been standing between Enumclaw and Black Diamond for some 20 years now. Back in the 50s and early 60s, the Hornet’s Nest was the place for high school kids. The Management hopes that students will start coming back to the Hornet’s Nest, and regard it as the “Home of the Hornets.”
Alas, it wasn’t meant to be. The Hornet’s Nest closed down shortly thereafter. That was the final media mention of the restaurant, except as a directional aid. During much of the Hornet’s Nest’s 20-year history, it competed with other fast-food options such as Dukes, Mel’s and Viz’s, though none of the others were drive-through.
Today, the property where the Hornet’s Nest once operated is home to the Country Garden Montessori School, which has been nurturing young minds since 2003. The property at 38722 Enumclaw-Black Diamond Road S.E. is owned by Mary Jo Branley, who originally bought the site in 1998 and saw a need for a Montessori school in Enumclaw. Where one lone drive-through once stood, there is now a busy collection of homes, buildings, and barns.
This 1954 photo of King County tax parcel #012006-9038 comes courtesy of the Puget Sound Regional Archives in Bellevue. The Enumclaw Plateau History Museum provided valuable research. Photo enhancements were performed by Boomer Burnham, doing business as BoomersPhotography.com
This “When Coal Was King” column by Bill Kombol was originally published in the August 11, 2026, Voice of the Valley.
