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Historic Memphis
Motels |
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some not so historic? |
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Trains
were the means of Long distance travel at the turn of the century.
The advent of the automobile changed all that - especially when
Ford's Model-T rolled off the assembly lines in 1908.
Suddenly, those with average means could travel on their own.
Because they were often on a tight budget, they needed cheap places
to overnight. Thus Rooming Houses, Camp Grounds, and Rustic
Cabins became common. But the concept of MOTELS came when the
US Interstate was established in the 1920s. These highways
allowed travelers to drive long distances and because they couldn't
find lodging in the suburbs, had to drive into town to over-night.
Thus motor hotels began popping up by the interstates and in the
suburbs. These first motels were strictly Mom and Pop
establishments. No guarantees. The first motel may be
Milestone Motel of San Luis Obispo, California, in 1925.
Eventually Mom and Pop joined motel associations which gave
travelers assurances that they could enjoy high standards.
Enter Kemmons Wilson. The true concept of motels
actually began to decline when he introduced Holiday Inns throughout
the country. Previously motorists used motels for a quick
overnight stay. Now, suddenly motels offered rooms,
parking, food, swimming pools, and entertainment. |
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Motels A -
H |
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Most of the Postcards on this page are in the collection of Dave
French.
Click on small photos to
enlarge them. |
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Adminal Benbow |
Adminal Benbow |
Adminal Benbow |
Adminal Benbow |
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Albert Pick Motor Inn |
Bel Air |
Berryman's |
Casey's (Rosecourt) |
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Casey's 1950 |
Crescent Lake |
Crescent Lake 1950 |
Crescent Lake 1960 |
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Crescent Lake |
Crystal -
Bellevue |
Ditty Wah Ditty |
Downtown |
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Downtowner |
Green Acres |
Harbin's
- 1930 |
Harbin's - 1937 |
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Harbin's
Postcard |
Harbin's
aerial view |
Hester's |
Hi-Way Tourist Home |
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The Holiday Inn Story |
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Holiday Inn
was the nation's first motel chain and was founded in Memphis
by Kemmons Wilson in 1952. The first inn was located on
Summer Avenue, which was then the main highway to Nashville.
Wilson came up the the idea after a family trip to Washington
D.C. during which he was disappointed by the quality and
consistency provided by roadside motels. By 1957 the
chain was franchised and followed his tenet that all Holiday
Inn properties should be standardized, clean, predictable,
family-friendly and readily accessible to road travellers.
By 1968 there were 1000 Holiday Inns. The chain
dominated the market. By 1972, there were over 1,400
Holiday Inns worldwide. Kemmons Wilson sold his interest
in 1990. |
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Note: That first Holiday Inn on
Summer Av? This being Memphis, of course it was
demolished in the early 1990s. |
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First Holiday Inn |
First Holiday Inn - 1954 |
First Holiday Inn |
HI - Central-Union |
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Holiday Inn |
HI - Downtown -3rd |
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Holiday Inn JUNIOR |
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HI - Lamar |
HI - Midtown - 1960s |
HI - Midtown - Union |
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Leahy's Tourist Court |
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Leahy's Tourist Court, Motel Court, and Trailer
Park, 3070 Summer Avenue - one of the more famous Motels
in Memphis, and so many don't remember why it's famous.
It was the Memphis home to James Jones in 1949-50, while
he wrote the National Book Award-winning "From Here to
Eternity. The book is now ranked #62 on the list
of "100 best novels". Jones' last novel "Whistle"
was based on his hospital stay in Memphis recovering
from surgery on an ankle he injured during WW2. |
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| Leahy's |
Leahy's |
Leahy's |
Leahy's - Office |
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Lorraine Motel |
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Walter
Bailey purchased this complex of buildings in 1945 and
renamed it for his wife Loree and the song
Sweet Lorraine.
During the years of
segregation in Memphis,
it was an upscale accommodation that catered to a black
clientele. Bailey added a second floor and then
drive up access for more rooms, converting the name from
Lorraine Hotel to Lorraine Motel. Its guests
included
Ray Charles,
Lionel Hampton,
Aretha Franklin,
Ethel Waters,
Otis Redding, and The
Staple Singers.
In 1968, Dr. Martin Luther King was assassinated outside
Room 306. In 1982, the Motel complex became the
National Civil Rights Museum. |
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Motels L
- Z |
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Lamar |
Linden Lodge |
Owl |
Palomino |
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Palomino-Rodgers |
Rebel 1950 |
Rogers |
Shelby |
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Shelby |
Shell Lake |
Sheraton |
Sheraton |
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Silver
Horse Shoe |
Town Park 1960 |
Town Park |
Travelodge Downtown 1950s |
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Travelodge Downtown |
White House |
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<>
Vintage Photos, Recent Photos,
and Memorabilia of Memphis Motels <> |
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Lorraine Ashtray |
Matchbook |
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Holiday Ashtray |
Matchbook |
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Holiday Key |
Rogers-Matchbook |
Leahy's
Brochure |
Matchbook |
1976
HI Ad |
1953
Holiday Inn Menu |
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1960 Menu Cover and Menu |
1960 Magazine |
1960 Ad |
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Author James Jones |
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| Harbin
Dairy |
Benbow
Key |
Admiral Benbow Matchbooks |
Holiday Inn Matchbook |
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Your help in updating any information on this page is appreciated.
If you have more information, new or vintage photos, please contact Gene Gill <gene.gill@verizon.net>
. Thanks to Dave French and Maureen Thoni White for finding
additional information and photos. |
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