It seems there was never a time without the existence of the frosty, creamy love coming from Dairy Queen. We remember the commercials featuring the scrappy cartoon character Dennis the Menace, beginning in 1971, encouraging all of us to drop everything and go for the cool refreshments. The iconic chain started in 1940 with its first restaurant in Joliet, Illinois, serving a variety of frozen products including soft-serve ice cream. Imagine the excitement that the ease of getting ice-cold treats brought. Today, International Dairy Queen Inc. develops, licenses, and services more than 7,000 locations in Canada, the U.S., and more than 20 other countries. This story is about the oldest Dairy Queen still open in North Carolina, which has been serving mouthwatering burgers and ice cream in Charlotte for 75 years. As the jingle encourages: “Let’s all go hand in hand down the chocolate path it’s the scrumpdillyicious land.”

Imagine the electricity in the air when these overheated people realized it was just a few steps around the bend to cooling down with the newfangled soft serve ice cream treat.
DQ / Orange Julius on Wilkinson/Facebook
Take a close look. Do you recognize anyone?
It may have been the same year this encouraging face of the Eskimo rising from the roof met folks with a big smile and an even bigger ice cream cone.
DQ / Orange Julius on Wilkinson/Facebook
The Wilkinson Boulevard Dairy Queen was built in 1947 by franchise operator Preston Aaron.
The building's curved features are indicative of the Art Deco style of architecture.
Laurashorter/TripAdvisor
In case someone isn't looking, the well-designed iconic art captures the attention of people coming and going in either direction, as do the bright neon lights.
Richard Greaves/Flickr
Designed for America on the move, the customers remain outside.
Richard Greaves/Flickr

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The thoughtfully-placed aluminum awning shelters you from sun and rain as you place your order.
Clark C/FourSquare
Is it a classically-curled vanilla cone?
Dairy Queen/Facebook
Or how about ordering this lip-smackin' strawberry sundae?
CLT F/FourSquare
We prefer the chocolate with nuts for a pick-me-up on a difficult day.
DQ / Orange Julius on Wilkinson/Facebook
While this important historic building represents a part of the fading American culture, it is nice to see the modern sign as reassurance that it isn't going anywhere.
LKNCHOWHOUND/TripAdvisor
The past and the present have united, it seems, at this oldest operating Dairy Queen in North Carolina.

Have you been to the Wilkinson Boulevard Dairy Queen in Charlotte, North Carolina, one of the oldest Dairy Queens still open? If so, do you have a favorite memory to share? Please let us know in the comments below. And if you enjoy reminiscing about historic Charlotte, here are several old photos to enjoy:

Here’s What Life In Charlotte Looked Like In The Early 20th Century

Love all things North Carolina? Wear your state pride on your sleeve with this unique apparel from Wear Your Roots!

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Dairy Queen (Treat), 2732 Wilkinson Blvd, Charlotte, NC 28208, USA