Sun Valley Motel

Houston, Texas - 1950's

If these are the lifeguards, those swimmers are in trouble.

Actually, this postcard photo looks more like some old family vacation snapshot, doesn't it? Has a certain low-fi casual quality about it, as well as that beautifully faded Kodacolor look! Very dreamlike to me.

Adel Motel

Adel, Georgia - '50s or '60s

Oh man. Let the vacation begin!!

Surf Motel

Santa Rosa, New Mexico - 1964

Wow, it appears the Surf Motel was illegally stockpiling babes in those days. Look at 'em all! Man, that motel's a regular chick magnet. Wouldn't have guessed it from the outside.

And look: there's even a pin-up photo shoot taking place near the back of the pool, as we speak! Yowsa! Pretty swinging jernt, no?

Grandfather Mountain Lodge

Linville, North Carolina - 1960's

The hellishly cheery cafeteria on Grandfather Mountain. If the coffee fails to wake you up before your morning ski run, the colors in here should do the trick!

Beachcomber Motel

Atlantic Beach, North Carolina - late '60s or early '70s

From postcard: "One block from Ocean front, 32 units, air-conditioned, room TV, kitchenettes, in center of all activities."

Exactly what kind of activities could we possibly want to be in the center of here? I don't want to think about it.

Road Stop: Grove Restaurant

Seattle, Washington - 1960's

Sunset Hill Motel

Breezewood, Pennsylvania - 1959

The room interior looks like a CIvil Defense bunker or something.

Little America Motel

Cheyenne, Wyoming - 1960's

Looks like a room right out of Elvis' Graceland.

Avanti Motel

Rapid City, South Dakota - 1960's

Town House Motel

Covington, Virginia - late '60s or early '70s

Man, that is one dreary looking Motel, aint it?

Capt. Thomson's Motor Lodge

Alexandria Bay, New York - 1960's

Bennett's Motel

Bedford, Pennsylvania - 1957

McDonough Motel

McDonough, Georgia - 1960's


Room interior blow-up.

Dutch Inn Motor Hotel

Narragansett, Rhode Island - 1960's

Holiday Inn

Alachua, Florida - 1960's

For weary eyes... A flourescent beacon in the night.

Enjoy, Cora! :)

Jones' Restaurant

At the Quality Motel, Kentucky - 1960's

Native Sun Motel

Pompano Beach, Florida - 1950's

From postcard: "Special contract installation of Wellco Carpet Corporation's 'Rondo' in the Native Sun, lavish oceanfront motel in Pompano Beach, Florida."

Nowadays I'd call it 'Mondo'.

Elyria Motel

Elyria, Ohio - 1966

Leonard's Motel

Springfield, Illinois - 1962

Kill me now, please.

Islander Lodge Motel

Alameda, California - 1970's

Shoot, almost looks like the house I grew up in. I feel right at home here. Man, swag lights were cool.

So were chicks in mini-skirts.

The Green Derby Restaurant

Casper, Wyoming - 1960's

Road stop! What say we grab a bite to eat and go over our maps again, shall we? Food smells great, place looks cozy, and the company inviting -- considering we're in Hell and all.

Village Motel & Restaurant

London, Kentucky - 1960's

Look at this place. Man, if only walls could speak. I'm sure these would have some tales to tell!

Ah... maybe we're better off not hearing them. :)

Butler's Hillcrest Restaurant & Motel

Owens, Virginia - 1950's

Country Inn Motel

Lubbock, Texas - '60s I think

Man, how's that for some signage bling! Oh it's tacky, but boy is it beeUtiful! They sure don't make 'em like this anymore, do they?

Also nice that they're offering refrigerated air and heated pool. At many motels that's reversed. :)

Surf Room Lounge of the Manger Annapolis Hotel

Washington, D.C. - '50s or '60s

From postcard: "Designed with a novel nautical theme, the Surf Room resembles the lounge of a modern luxury liner. Entertainment by a leading pianist."

Beckett's Motel

Ontario, Canada - 1960's

Sunset Beach Motel

Sebring, Florida - 1960's

Bet the cops traced many a call back to this phone booth in those days.

Soudersburg Motel & Motor Lodge

Soudersburg, Pennsylvania - 1960's

Gaudiness never looked so good!

La Hacienda Motel Restaurant

Nogales, Arizona - 1960

I'd like to live here forever.

Dell View Hotel

Lake Delton, Wisconsin - late '50s to early '60s

Chef and wait staff proudly presenting their roasted pig and buffet table spread, ready for a feast.

Roast Beast

Tallahassee Motor Hotel

Tallahassee, Florida - 196o's

Billy Joe MacAllister jumped off the Tallahatchie Bridge. So the song goes.

Had he stayed at this motel for any length of time, I'm pretty sure he'd have jumped off the Tallahassee, too.

Motel Hell!

Lookout Terrace Motel

Calander, Ontario, Canada - 1960's

The Fort Sidney Motor Hotel

Sidney, Nebraska - 1964

From postcard: "The Fort Sidney Motor Hotel located in down town Sidney 1/2 block south of highway 30 is well known for its Fine Food, Luxurious Lodging and Superior Service. 51 Rooms and suites completely air-conditioned. Free parking facilities. Outstanding cocktail lounge. All hotel services and television available."

Just look at that place! Decadently beautiful if you ask me! Reminds me of places my family stopped while on the road to Tennessee in the summers of my childhood.

Good times, man. Good times.

Holiday Inn

Vincennes, Indiana - 1960's

That's some nest she's got going up there, isn't it?

And look! I think a UFO is actually caught on film attempting a landing on it! Wow!

Johnson's Hummocks Sea Food Restaurant

Providence, Rhode Island - 1960's

Welcome to Roadside food hell, folks! This looks like the Puke Platter, if I'm not mistaken.

Villa Capri Hotel

Austin, Texas - 1960's


Austin, Texas - '50s or '60s

Cool interior view of the Capri's restaurant. Pretty swanky, man! Hope you liked these, Chris. I'll dig up more soon for ya. :)

The Yorktown Motor Lodge

Yorktown, Virginia - 1950's

Pretty ghastly interior. But also, quite beautiful at the same time.

Beach House Motel

Bonita Beach, Florida - Early '70s

From postcard: "One & two bedroom apts., Motel rooms & Eff's, Come to our Beach House and enjoy superb Shelling, Swimming and Relaxing on our Sprawling Natural Sugar White Sand Beach."

These hipsters are enjoying their stay in the fashionably modern "Clockwork Orange" suite.

Sacajewea Motel

Lewiston, Idaho - 1960's

It's early morning or evening, and your road-weary self is just rolling into the Sacajewea for some shut-eye.

What else would it look like?

Chestnut Mountain Lodge

Galena, Illinois - 1950's

From postcard: "The Dome Room recreation area is an attraction to many guests. Enjoy table games or just relax with friends."

If you still have any friends after bringing them here.

Pere Marquette Hotel-Lodge

Grafton, Illinois - 1960's

You go first...

Exit 2 Motel

Montpelier, Ohio - 1960's

Exit 2 where??! I think we all know.

From postcard: "Carpeted - Beauty Rest Mattresses - Fireproof. On Route 15 at Ohio Turnpike Interchange 2. Free TV -- Restaurant on Premises"

By the looks of things, I'm glad the bed is fireproof. That may come in handy here.

Motel 6

Anywhere, USA - 1960's

From postcard: "Economy Rates--from $6. Motel 6 ... Comfort, Convenience, Economy ... always!"

What? No Quality?

Jones Motel

Harlan, Kentucky - 1960's

From postcard: "28 lovely rooms with tile baths, hot water heat. Unusual scenic beauty. Large 60 foot pool. Phones and T.V. on U.S. Highways 119 and 421."

Unusual scenic beauty is right! You don't often see scenic beauty this unusual.