Postcard Memories is a weekly series of historic postcard views and photos submitted by Marcel Rousseau.
Some were previously published by the Orillia Museum of Art and History and in the book Postcard Memories Orillia.
The Orillia Kentucky Fried Chicken (KFC) franchise, one of the earliest in Canada, started at Carters' Restaurant in downtown Orillia in 1955.
In the book, History of The Carter Family Restaurants, A.M. 'Mac' Carter tells us that Veldon Carter met Colonel Sanders on his first promotional tour of Ontario. With the franchise in place the Colonel made several trips to Orillia over the next few years and commended Veldon on adhering to the strict recipe for his chicken.
The franchise proved to be a huge success and the chicken outsold all other food items for several years. Ten months after a tragic fire in 1961 destroyed the downtown restaurant, the Carters reopened at its new location on Highway 11 and Laclie Street.
This view of Carters Sundial Restaurant was taken before the motel was built and shows the drive-thru KFC takeout booth. The large rooftop sundial was visible from all directions and became a landmark stop for local patrons and tourists.
Veldon Carter passed away in 1965 and the business was sold. At that time, the KFC franchise transferred to staff member Rob Greenwood, who went on to build the West Street and Fittons Road locations. It is now 67 years since the franchise first came to Carter’s Restaurant in downtown Orillia.
