University of Washington Libraries, Special CollectionsPH1629Farrell's Ice Cream ParlourPhotographs of
Farrell's Ice Cream Parlourapproximately
1963-19751 folder containing 8 photographs and 1
certificateCollection materials are in
English.Photographs of
several ice cream shops and associated activities, probably in Oregon and
CaliforniaIn 1963, Farrell's Ice Cream Parlour was founded in Portland, Oregon
by Bob Farrell and Ken McCarthy. It immediately became a huge success and by
1970 the company had grown to 58 restaurants.
The parlours had an 1890’s theme with menus printed as a tabloid-style
newspaper. The employees wore period dress shirts and vests, sleeve garters,
old fashioned ties, straw boater hats, and each location featured a player
piano. Farrell's became known for their offer of a free ice cream sundae to
children on their birthday.
In 1971, the Marriott Corporation showed an interest in the company
and subsequently purchased it. By 1975, there were 120 Farrell’s Ice Cream
Parlours nationwide with Bob Farrell continuing to work with Marriott as the
company continued to open new restaurants.
In 1982, Marriott sold the chain to a group of private investors and
under new ownership and management came new visions and a conflicting direction
for Farrell’s that did not resonate well with the public. Thereafter, sales
dropped and most of the parlors were sold off in the 1980s.. By 1990, almost
all Farrell's locations had closed. The final location closed on June 8, 2019
in Brea, California.
Photographs of several Farrell's Ice Cream Parlours and associated
activities taken in Oregon, California, and unknown locations.
The collection is open to the public.
Request at
UW
Status of creator's copyrights is unknown; restrictions may exist on
copying, quotation, or publication. Users are responsible for researching
copyright status before use.
Source: Fairlook Antiques, February 26, 2018.
Processed by Lydia Roca, 2021. Processed by Arlene G. Cohen, 2024.
Farrell's Ice Cream Parlour Kitchen and
Fountain Menu, approximately 1977.
https://digitalcollections.lib.washington.edu/digital/collection/menus/id/849/
Farrell's Ice Cream Parlour diet plan sheet,
Seattle, Washington, 1969.
https://digitalcollections.lib.washington.edu/digital/collection/menus/id/857/rec/1
Visual Materials Collections (University of Washington)PhotographsBusinesses and CorporationsOregon
11Interior view of a Farrell's Ice Cream Parlour in an
unknown location, showing display cases and a cash register approximately 1963-197512Photograph of Farrell's founder Robert 'Bob' Farrell,
standing in front of a construction site approximately 1963-1975Caption photograph: "Farrell" knew it was going to be a winner
right from the start. Photography by Allan J. deLay.
13Group photograph of attendees at a
Farrell Ice Cream Parlour convention September
1968Caption on photograph: Farrell's Convention Sept. 1968 Portland,
Oregon. Photograph by Allan J. deLay.
14Group of men wearing straw boater
hats, leaning against a Southern Pacific tractor trailer, with a sign reading
Farrell's #29 for Los Angelesapproximately
197015Hot air balloon in front of a
Farrell's Ice Cream Parlour with Gertrude from J.P. Patches television show in
costume, and two other men possibly being prepared by another man to ride in
the balloon, with crowd of bystanders looking onapproximately 1963-197516A family seated at a table enjoying
ice cream sundaesapproximately 1963-197517A family seated at a table eating
ice cream, several people seated at another table eating, and the back of a
waiter between the two tables, wearing a straw boater hat, vest. and a shirt
with sleeve gartersapproximately 1963-197518A couple being served hamburgers by
a waiter dressed in a striped shirt, sleeve garters, and a vestapproximately 1963-197519A certificate of "Farrell's Ten
Commandments of Good Business" signed by Robert Farrellapproximately 1963-1975Handwritten on verso: Please have framed.