We all scream for ice cream!

The smell of grilled burgers, the glow of the old neon sign and the promise of a cold cone on a warm May evening have drawn generations of Greenfield residents to Tiger Drive-In.

Earlier this month, the longtime east-side business became the one being celebrated.

Tiger Drive-In marked its 65th birthday with a week of festivities that culminated May 16. The celebration came with another milestone: The business was officially recognized as a new member of the National Register of Historic Places.

The appearance of the structure has gone largely unchanged since it opened in 1961. Tiger Drive-In has been owned for the last decade by David and Kendalyn Huff, along with their daughter, Katie.

Katie Huff said the historic designation opens the door to grant opportunities that could lead to improvements such as new windows and infrastructure upgrades.

“Being recognized, having the ability to get grants, it opens the door for so much,” Katie Huff said. “There’s all these things we could do to improve on what we have — things like the windows, the infrastructure itself. It just means a lot.”

Tiger Drive-In opened as a Tastee-Freez under owners Dale and Brylee Jensen. Their son, Jerry, who now lives in the Quad Cities, attended this month’s birthday party and presentation.

Jensen remembers opening day and the awe of being able to pick anything he wanted from the menu. He also remembers how sorely disappointed he was years later when he went to Lions Club youth football practice and did not get the same freedom in choosing what position he would play.

During the celebration, Jensen presented the Huffs with several historic photos and toy cars that were once given away as prizes. Similar prizes were given away during the recent birthday week, just like during opening week in 1961.

Greenfield, DeWitt, Marshalltown and La Porte City are the four known examples of original Tastee-Freez restaurants in Iowa. Greenfield’s is the only known example of the larger store design, which included a kitchen for quick meals.

In addition to Tastee-Freez and Tiger Drive-In, Greenfield’s store has operated under three other names and has had eight owners.

Over the years, Tiger Drive-In has become embedded in the community’s history as a must-stop location for many.

During construction of the interstate in the early 1960s, traffic from U.S. Highway 6 was temporarily diverted into Greenfield along Highway 92. At the time, there were four service stations and a Maid-Rite restaurant near the Highway 25 intersection, and the Tastee-Freez neon sign was hard to miss.

Years later, former residents still stop at Tiger Drive-In when they return home for reunions, weddings, baby showers and other events. The business also enjoys a strong following tied to community activities such as Little League games, the county fair and other gatherings. There are lunchtime regulars who stop often to grab a bite on the run.

“I love hearing the stories from people who have been coming here for forever. I remember coming here as a kid when visiting my grandparents,” said Huff, who grew up away from Greenfield.

John Gruss talked during the presentation about an orange drink sold at Tiger Drive-In when he was a child. John Schildberg remembered Dale Jensen as “the best whistler. He could make two to three notes at the same time.” Carol Woosley remembered a time in her life when she frequently visited Tiger Drive-In at lunchtime.

“No one knows what that orange drink is, but who knows, maybe someday we’ll find the recipe for it,” Huff said. “One person said they used to get a cherry mash sundae. I finally asked what that was. Maybe we’ll bring that back to the menu. Who knows. You kind of see the little kid in everybody when you serve them a dish of ice cream. I really think that’s what makes the job fun.”

Catherine Olesen, a representative of the Greenfield Historic Preservation Commission, was instrumental in helping Tiger Drive-In apply for the National Register designation. She said the Huffs have been crucial to the business’ success. May is also National Historic Preservation Month.

“I think we’re so fortunate to have a family who really does appreciate the history here and is so devoted to providing a place like this that is such a great place to gather,” Olesen said. “Not every person that would buy this business would be as dedicated.”

Tiger Drive-In has big goals ahead. The business recently submitted a grant application that would help replace all the windows in the building. An in-kind donation has been received from Cardinal IG to cover the cost of the actual windows.

“That’s the beginning of a phased restoration project. That’s not all of it, that’s the beginning. Following it up will be new equipment, mechanical systems, lighting,” Olesen said. “After 65 years, this old Tastee-Freez is going, ‘Give me some help!’”

Olesen said replacing the windows is about more than maintaining a building.

“Why is replacing windows the right thing to do? It connects and helps us understand our past and reveals the work, investment, outreach and dedication people put forth to reach their goals, which are to provide this wonderful place to eat and provide for economic development,” she said. “Our measure of success will be a longer life for the building, and by starting this project, others will follow.”