Ashtray
Object number2024.66.5
Date1980-1999
MediumGlass; Paint
Credit LineGift of Greg George
DescriptionGray glass ashtray. Circular ashtray with sunken bowl at center and arched rim bearing three cigarette rests. Underside of bowl has white and blue painted decoration and text consisting of circular border framing restaurant flame logo and location information; decoration is visible through top of bowl.DimensionsHeight x Diameter: 1 x 4.125 in. (2.5 x 10.5 cm)InscriptionsPainted blue and white text on underside is visible through the top of the ashtray bowl "BLUE FLAME / RESTAURANT / ROUTE 51 / JEFFERSON BORO".
Underside of rim has raised number "11" at 10:00.
Historical NotesGray ashtray. The Blue Flame Restaurant used different ashtrays during different periods. Red ashtrays were the oldest, then blue ashtrays were used in the late 1970s through the early 1980s, and then gray ashtrays were used until smoking was banned in the late 1990s. Part of a collection related to the Blue Flame restaurant. Leslie (Les) George opened the Blue Flame in 1956 in Jefferson Hills, Pennsylvania. Prior to this he had operated a luncheonette on St. Clair Avenue. George was approached by Equitable Gas to install gas fixtures in his restaurant in return Equitable offered to give him a free marquee if he called his restaurant Blue Flame. The restaurant served diner food and never had a signature dish. They served breakfast, lunch, and dinner and in later years also had a catering service. The restaurant was open 24 hours until the Clairton mill shut down. Les George's brother Albert started to help out at the Blue Flame after serving in the Navy and then attending the University of Pittsburgh. Over the years many family members worked at the Blue Flame and it was owned by the family until its closing in 2024. The family opened two other short lived Blue Flames, one in Monessen and one in White Oak, both Pennsylvania. They also operated a restaurant called The Yorkshire and another called the Chef Shoppe.
Related institution
Blue Flame Restaurant
(1956 - 2024)
Related person
Leslie George
Related person
Albert George
Related institution
Equitable Gas Company
On View
Not on view
Related Object
