Frank A. FERRIGAN

1902 - 1972  (69 years)

• Name	Frank A. FERRIGAN  [1, 2, 3, 4, 5]
  Birth	17 Aug 1902	Albany, New York
  Gender	Male
  HIST	This article says that he died in 1970, shortly before his 65th birthday. jkh Frank’s: You tried the rest, now try the best Share Send this page to your friends Print Create a hardcopy of this page Posted: Sunday, August 1, 2010 6:00 am | Updated: 12:47 pm, Sun Aug 1, 2010. By SAMMY WAY   Wikipedia Encyclopedia defines a truck stop as a "commercial facility predicated on providing fuel, parking, and often food and other services to motorists and truck drivers." These facilities ranging in size from 2 to 4 gas pumps to covering several acres, are most often located near major thoroughfares. Records indicate that the truck stop originated during the 1940s and provided large truck operators with a consistent source of diesel fuel. The rise of this enterprise coincided with the growth of the Interstate Highway System. The early stops usually comprised a fueling station, a diner/restaurant, showers, a convenience store and, in some cases, an area where the drivers could spend the night. As the use of transport vehicles continued to expand so did the truck stops; eventually there were 10,000 such establishments constructed on the numerous highways that crossed the nation. Iowa 80 holds the distinction of being the largest truck stop in the world. One of the common features of all stops is the restaurants that are often recommended to those who do not drive trucks because of their excellent food often sold in large portions. Frank Ferrigan and the edgewood cafe Frank Ferrigan originally left the bitterly cold winters of Albany, N.Y., which exacerbated his health problems, in 1934. He had formerly been involved in selling and transporting produce, often traveling U.S. 15 to and from the warmer climates of Florida and the Carolinas. He leased a small tract of land then located where Manning Avenue (U.S. 521) became U.S. 15 South. Lafayette Drive was not constructed until much later, and those traveling on Hwy. 521 either continued to travel to Manning or turned right onto 15. It was at this busy intersection that Ferrigan established the Edgewood Coffee Shop and truck stop. He returned to New York and brought back his wife Annie and two daughters, Dot and Florence. Dot Ferrigan (Johnson) recalls that while making their journey to Sumter they encountered a raging snow storm in New Jersey and were happy that they were moving to the warmer climate of South Carolina.. The business experienced instant success, as hungry travelers enjoyed the excellent food at the café and truckers were delighted at being able to fuel their trucks. It received a Grade A rating from the South Carolina Board of Health which provided testimony to the cleanliness and quality of service provided by Frank's. The restaurant's spacious interior featured several booths and dining tables and was large enough to accommodate bands that provided music for a number of parties and dances often scheduled at the facility. In 1939 the café and truck stop burned. Undaunted, Ferrigan had a concrete block building rebuilt in approximately the same location and reopened for business. The new truck stop was expanded to offer truckers the use of a bunk (a sleeping room), allowing them to spend the night at the facility before continuing on their journey. Frank's Truck Stop Business was growing at such a rate that it became necessary to move the facility in order to accommodate the growing number of customers. Ferrigan leased a pear orchard a few hundred yards from the intersection from the Coca-Cola Bottling Company, owned by A. T. Heath, in 1939. The Truck Stop and the Edgewood Coffee Shop were constructed there and quickly became known as "Frank's Truck Stop" by its clientele. Ferrigan decided to expand the restaurant due to large numbers of customers who arrived to dine in the facility, which rapidly gained the reputation as one of the finest eateries on Highway 15. The food was considered among the finest cuisine offered in the area. One of the most sought after delicacies were the large steaks that were often cut and prepared by Ferrigan himself. The truck stop and coffee shop employed between 30 and 35 workers during the height of its operation. The facility remained open 24 hours seven days a week providing food, fuel and service to the continuous stream of customers that constantly arrived as they traveled either North or South. Matt Wongrey was the chef at Frank's and had several years of experience in the cooking profession. He was originally from Lake Okeechobee, Fla., and remained in the Sumter community, opening his own restaurant after the closing of the Edgewood Café. Wongrey was assisted by Roebuck Jones who was also a veteran of many years of service in the food preparation business. The entire family worked long hours in order to make this business venture a success. Dot Johnson recalls that her mother, Ann Ferrigan, was a driving force in the enterprise as she worked in all facets of the operation and was a constant feature behind the cash register. Many of the workers employed at Frank's during the 1940s can only recalled the existence of two other truck stops operating in the state. The facilities mentioned were Fats Truck Stop in Hartsville and Rhodes Truck Stop in Summerton, late of Santee. In 1943 Dot Ferrigan and Johnnie Johnson were married. Johnson became an employee of the business in 1946 following his return from Europe at the conclusion of World War II. Johnson recalls working 12-hour days six days a week and providing free service to regular customers, often traveling up to 100 miles to ensure this commitment. He often delivered auto parts to people and provided them with free transportation to the truck stop if they needed help. The services incorporated with excellent food and being accessible 24/7 made Frank's Truck stop one of the most respected businesses in the Sumter community. In 1970 Johnnie and Dot Johnson purchased the equipment and inventory of the truck stop and reopened the business under the name Frank's Service Center, Inc. The Johnsons continued to run the truck stop but decided to lease the restaurant. It was shortly after these events took place that Frank Ferrigan left the business; he died in 1970, shortly before his 65th birthday. Ann Ferrigan, her daughter Florence Wilson and granddaughter Nora Ann Davis, continued to work at the restaurant and service center for several years after his death. During the 1980s there were dramatic changes taking place in our nation's transportation system. The construction of numerous large freeways spelled disaster for many of the hotels and auto/truck service centers located along highways 15 and 301. The opening of I-95 reduced the number customers conducting business at Frank's Service Center by almost 60 per cent. Many businesses left the local area and moved closer to the major highways, hoping to attract some of the travelers to their establishments. By 1988 it became apparent to the Johnsons it would be impossible to continue to operate the truck stop. After 50 years of dedicated service Frank's Truck Stop was forced to close its doors. All that remains of this once flourishing enterprise is a vacant lot, and empty concrete pads are the only reminders of what was once Sumter's favorite dining spot. Many Sumter locals have fond remembrances of their first venture to this renown dining spot and were deeply saddened when the last vestiges of this historic facility were removed in 1991. Sumter has seen many of its historic treasures fade and disappear in the midst of time. The loss of the train station (our next Reflections), the Imperial Hotel, Savage-Glover School, the Dixie Life Building, and Frank's Truck Stop are but a few of those structures that help us remember what our community resembled in those early years of development. Perhaps H. G. Wells was correct when he noted that "the past is but the beginning of a beginning, and all that is and has been is but the twilight of the dawn." Thanks to Dot and Johnnie Johnson for their help in preparing this article. Information was also obtained from the Item Archives. Reach Sammy Way at (803) 774-1294. Posted in Reflections, Looking back on Sunday, August 1, 2010 Frank William Ferrigan BIRTH 17 Aug 1902 Albany County, New York, USA DEATH 8 Aug 1972 (aged 69) Sumter, Sumter County, South Carolina, USA BURIAL Saint Lawrence Cemetery Sumter, Sumter County, South Carolina, USA Frank owned the highly popular "Franks Truck Stop" with excellent restaurant on Hwy. 15 South, Sumter, SC (he started his business with a spaghetti cart on Main St. in Sumter). I'm 74 and remember well Frank during my teens. For several days there has been a large number of memory posts about Franks Truck Stop on the Sumter Facebook site. Contributor: Ervin Shaw Family Members Spouse Anna Elizabeth Stuckey Ferrigan 1902–1989 Children Florence Evalena Ferrigan Wilson 1924–1990  [4]
  Occupation	he owned Frank’s Truck Stop and Restaurant on Highway 15, Sumter, South Carolina- it was open from 1938 to 1972  [1, 6]
  _UID	C09BB1A1D4C84C0AB3202F7E4CF6C38DB1F7
  Death	8 Aug 1972	Sumter, Sumter County, South Carolina   [7]
  Burial	St. Lawrence Catholic Cemetery, Sumter, Sumter County, South Carolina   [2, 3]
  Person ID	I178157	Singleton and Related Families
  Last Modified	9 Nov 2020

  
  

  Family	Annie Elizabeth “Ann” STUCKEY,   b. 7 Jul 1902, Pender, North Carolina d. 27 Feb 1989 (Age 86 years)
  _UID	1D028B5C3A9A4FBB96DBF26E1E99968C8EAD
  _UID	1D028B5C3A9A4FBB96DBF26E1E99968C8EAD
  Children	1. Florence Evalena FERRIGAN   d. Bef 22 Dec 2017   2. Dorothy “Dot” FERRIGAN,   b. 1924, Albany, New York d. 5 May 2013, Winston-Salem, North Carolina (Age 89 years)
  Family ID	F121094	Group Sheet  |  Family Chart
  Last Modified	23 Mar 2026

  
  

• Sources

  [S6780] Interview with Virginia (Mellette) Capper. [S6789] . [S8001] Ken & Dee Schmidt, page 2. [S14587] Frank’s: You tried the rest, now try the best. [S19530] Dorothy F. Johnson. [S6779] Shuler’s Drive-In - continues to serve good old-fashioned food. [S28272] .