By BOB SHRALUKA
WZBD.com
Many Decatur and area residents flocked to the Back 40 Junction restaurant after it was learned that the iconic restaurant in the city was closing its doors after Wednesday, the last day of 2025.
A day or so later, owner John Ferrise – who purchased the eatery in 2020 – posted a notice on social media, thanking “all of you that came out these last few days to dine with us. My apologies to those that couldn’t get in, or got shorted on options, as we were so overwhelmed toward the end of each day.
“I want to also thank all of you that are wishing me well on my health. That means so much to me. I will miss the wonderful people that worked with me, and am praying for a quick transition for a new owner.”
The Back 40 Junction was built by Clete Miller, a Decatur resident, and opened on January 1, 1976.
Following is some historical information which appears on the restaurant’s website:
“In the early 1950’s Clete Miller leased a building on the corner off Nuttman and 13th Street (now McDonald’s) which was then called Swearinger (Swearingen – ed.) Dairy Ice Cream and Malt Shop.
“Mr. Miller changed the name to Fairway and made it into a full restaurant serving breakfast, lunch and dinner.
“In 1953 the huge Tiffany Chandelier was bought from the Noll estate in Fort Wayne, Indiana and placed in the famous Bamboo room. It was decorated with sketches of people who had visited our town or local business celebrities of our home town Decatur, Indiana.
“On the ceiling in this same room were the history newspaper headlines of World War II with big black foot prints across them. On the lighted wall was the beautiful outdoor scenery.
“This picture is now placed on the wall above the hot line. The people in the picture are Mr. & Mrs. Reppert who were the founders of the Reppert Auctioneering School.
“A picture of one of the early classes can be found on the wall in the bar (The Nickle Plate Pub).
“In the 1960’s he added the farm decor. Changing the name to Fairway Back 40 and giving each dinning room a special touch. The outside animals were added (the steer, the pig, and the horse & buggie).
“Mr. Miller then started to create family style dinners which then originated the famous smorgasbord. It featured Prime Rib with other variety of prepared selections. Mr. Miller then began placing and exhibiting a variety of American heritage in the dining rooms and hallways.
“This is when the Storm Cellar began with an all white frosted look. A piano player and sing along Friday & Saturday night while you waited for a table and your number was called.
“In early 1974 Mr. Miller decided to expand (to the current locati)and built what is now the Back 40 Junction with a Midwestern railroad decor and greater seating capacity.
“The club car of 1920 complete with all original lighting fixtures, seats, kitchen (weight approximately 44 tons) and the caboose gift shop from the 1890’s were moved by C&L Yost Company with a 15 man crew.
“Now inside the restaurant there were statues from John Rogers, a popular sculptor of the late 1800’s, and the antique lamps that were once owned by Carol Lombard, an Indiana born movie legend.
“The Tiffany chandelier, which was brought from the Fairway, is now hanging in the back dining area. The whalers lamp, the collection of the Burma Shave highway signs, the hand painted wall murals in the dining room and in the Nickel Plate Pub.
“The copper brewing vat called the “Grant” where malt liquor was stored and then piped to the beer vats, and the spigots are from the beer vats taken from the Centlivre Brewery in Fort Wayne, Indiana.
“On the ceiling in the Nickle Plate Pub are the Barnum & Bailey circus posters. Many of the smaller items come from our local people which are important to our Indiana culture.”
MILLER BUILT: Clete Miller died Nov. 11, 2016, at the age of 96.
According to his obituary notice, he worked at the Knights of Columbus and the Victory Bar in Decatur following his discharge from the U.S. Army in 1945.
On Dec. 1, 1947, he purchased Riverview Gardens tavern (now Chicote’s Mexican Grill) on Monmouth Road) on Dec. 1, 1947. It was a very successful venture, the obituary noted.
On Nov. 26, 1950, Miller took over the Fairway Restaurant on the corner of Nuttman Ave. and 12th St.
“He operated this restaurant until Jan. 1, 1976, when he then opened the Back 40 Junction, three blocks north of the original site,” the obituary pointed out.
“He had purchased three acres of land and built a restaurant, which resembled an old fashioned train depot, complete with a travel car and caboose near the front entrance. He filled the restaurant with antiques which drew interested people from miles around and they also enjoyed the delicious food.”
The Back 40 was leased to the Azar Inc. restaurant chain of Fort Wayne in 1982. Though retired from active participation in the business, Clete continued to maintain the the grounds and the antiques inside the building.
Azar Inc. purchased the restaurant and land in Dec. of 2003.
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