Treeless Tall Pine carries on, stronger than ever

This article is part of the Shoshone News-Press Then and Now special section that appeared in the Friday, July 30 print edition. Copies of this edition can be purchased at the News-Press office in Osburn.

PINEHRUST – For someone new to the Tall Pine Drive-In, the design and décor of the place invokes warm feelings of classic Americana. It’s a place where you’d imagine a slick-looking '50s teen might have brought his best gal for some burgers and fries during the Silver Valley’s heyday.

For someone native to the area though, there’s a good chance that they were that couple — just one of many that have frequented the Silver Valley fixture since it was built roughly 70 years ago.

Cindy Wilbur, who owns it along with her husband Jerry Wilbur, explained that the Tall Pine was constructed in the late 1940s or early 1950s and was meant to resemble another popular eatery — Arctic Circle. This explains the building's unique design with slanted, walk-up windows and a cozy, diner-esq seating area.

Estimating that the Tall Pine has had roughly 8-10 different operators over the years, Cindy believes that not only has the building always been a restaurant, but it has also always been known as the Tall Pine. The design of the building has remained relatively the same over the years as well, with only a prep room and storage area being additions on the original structure; but even then, those additions were installed decades ago.

The Wilburs, who are both Silver Valley natives, acquired the business in April 2016 after it grew on Cindy.

“I was working as a substitute at (Pinehurst Elementary) and then this became available,” she said. “My husband said ‘you’ve always wanted a restaurant, go look at it.'”

Cindy then went and looked at the business with her sister in February 2016 and wasn’t interested that time around.

“It was not love at first sight, but I had always wanted a restaurant,” Cindy said.

A month later, Jerry convinced her to take another look.

“He came with me and said ‘you can do this, and can do this, and this.’ I then put in an offer and it was accepted.”

The sale closed on April 11, 2016, which kicked off an extensive cleaning effort. Eight days later, the Tall Pine opened under its new, and current, ownership.

Cindy was really sold on the fact that it was close to their home in Pinehurst and that she simply loves to cook and see people.

The business's namesake, a 133-year-old wild eponymous tree that used to stand in front of the restaurant, collapsed onto the building suddenly as a result of the late-January 2021 windstorm. Witnesses that day described watching the tree sway back and forth in the heavy winds until it finally couldn’t handle the stress any longer.

Despite appearances, the damage that resulted from the tree’s toppling was fairly minimal.

“The way it fell took out this corner (the northwestern corner). We didn’t even lose windows because of a metal post in this corner, plus it is reinforced,” she explained. “We had branches go through the ceiling of the kitchen and prep room.”

The most significant damage though came to the Tall Pine’s nearly-new freezer, which was completely smashed.

“It literally exploded,” Cindy said. “They thought a bomb went off next door because it was air-tight and locked.”

Dave Olsen with the city of Pinehurst was the first to tell the Wilbur’s the news and the first thing they asked him was, “how bad is it?”

In addition to the damage to the business, the old wrap-around gazebo that was at the base of the tree was completely smashed.

Following some extensive repairs to the roof and the other damaged areas, the local icon was back up and running 48 days after the Tall Pine’s tall pine crashed on top of it.

Cindy explained that the tree itself is currently being blued.

“Later this fall, it will be cut into slabs. I’m going to take those slabs to the mill in Smelterville and have them kiln dry it.”

One slab is slated to become the new countertop in the dining area and the others will become the new gazebo out front.

Cindy explains that the favorite things about running the Tall Pine are the kids who work for her and the smiles that come with serving ice cream. Ice cream has always been associated with the business and is still offered from a machine from the 1960s.

“I love running the place. There’s always issues, but it’s also always fun,” Cindy said. “90% of the kids that live here in Pinehurst know who I am.”

Based on the opinions of Tall Pine employees Madison and Kaitlyn Meier, it is apparent that Cindy and her husband have built a strong connection with the local youth.

“I know it seems weird, but I really do love my boss!” Madison said. “My boss and her husband are like family to me. They’re always there for all of us.”

“I like the good vibes,” Kaitlyn added. “Everyone is always in a good mood. I also really like ice cream, so that’s nice.”

The Tall Pine Drive-In is open seven days a week from 11 a.m. to 7 p.m. and is located at 203 N. Division St. in Pinehurst.