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Harry Gerguson

CROSSROADS

Vol. 24 July 1993 page 16

Romanoffs Restaurant Owned By OTR

"Prince" Michael Romanoff, proprietor of a famous Holly wood restaurant used at least 15 alias during his lifetime, but in reality he was Harry Gerguson, an Orphan Train Rider.

Romanoff’s colorful life was the topic of an article in Newsweek, May 12, 1958 and an one in Saturday Evening Post, March 20, 1943. There are probably many more written and OTHSA would be interested in knowing of them.

He apparently, assumed the name "Prince Michael Romanoff" at the age of 30. The 1943 article stated that Romanoff was 53 years old.

While researching information about Gerguson/Romanoff, Lee Nailling and his wife, Novelle, remembered eating at Romanoff’s and a man very slight of built stopped by their table and struck up a conversation. A few minutes after he moved on, Novelle glanced at a portrait on the wall and realized Prince Michael Romanoff had been their" table hopper".

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