Submitted by Leona Baker, Historical Society of Salisbury Township

A well-known and respected citizen of Gap has left us. Vernon Fisher, a businessman, restauranteur and longtime resident of Salisbury Township, passed away in December 2023. Many will remember him and his wife, Thelma, as the owners and operators of the now-closed Gap Diner in Gap. It was once a favorite stop for tourists on their way to Maryland beaches and other points south.

Joan Lorenz, author of "A History of Salisbury Township," which was published in 2020, wrote about the Gap Diner. This is a tribute to the Fishers' long association with that iconic symbol of good food.

Lorenz wrote, in part, "One of the most recognizable, used and beloved landmarks is the Gap Diner, built in 1959. In 1975, Vernon and Thelma Fisher took over. They enlarged the eating area and provided a plentiful and varied menu. The diner was open 6 a.m. to 10 p.m. closed only on Christmas and Thanksgiving. Every morning, the regulars came in to ... drink coffee, plan their day, talk politics (or) brag about fishing and hunting. The first seat on the left side of the counter was Jim Stoltzfus' seat. In 1976, the Fishers added the William Penn Room on the south wing. Doris Whitehead Polk painted the room's William Penn mural.

"In 1985, the Gap Room was added to the north side of the diner. Doris Polk painted a mural of the old Gap village on the north wall. Photographs of old buildings, old Gap scenes and townfolk lined the walls. An open house was held on Feb. 20, 1985, celebrating 10 years of the Fishers owning the restaurant along with honoring Elsie Trago, a waitress for 25 years at the diner.

"After the Lawrence Restaurant and Store in Gap was sold, Viola Lawrence and a group of her former customers began meeting at the 'Lawrence Table' in the Old Gap Room. The Diner was always heavily involved in selling 'Buck-a-Cup' pins raising money for Easter Seals. (One year) Reba Kauffman, Gap Diner waitress, made Gap Diner the top restaurant in the county for sales of those pins and was honored by the Restaurant Association.

"The Fishers were always determined to keep the diner open, no matter what the weather, sometimes picking up waitresses in four-wheel drive vehicle or snowmobiles. On one such occasion, with roads closed by drifted snow, the diner received a call from Dr. Beecher who needed to make an emergency house call on Lime Quarry Road. Michael Fisher (son of the owners) agreed to take him via a snowmobile if he was willing to make the trip. Of course, Dr. Beecher never flinched about the cold, the wind or drifting snow during the 6-mile round trip. His only comment was, 'That was the fastest house call I ever made!'

"For 11 years Vernon and Thelma Fisher served the public with an excellent reputation."

Under new management, the diner continued to serve the public until 2018. It had been for sale since. The Fishers gave the original photos from the walls to the Historical Society of Salisbury Township along with one table jukebox that had entertained many diners.

A recent video about the diner that was posted by a visitor can be found by visiting http://www.youtube.com and searching for "Abandoned Mid-Century Diner on the Lincoln Highway // Gap Diner: Gap, PA."