Built in a wave of late 1960s Western expansion, the Barstow Motor Lodge and Restaurant complex was opened in 1969 or early 1970. Advertisements billed it as "An Oasis in the California Desert," and Barstow was along a stretch of the World Famous U.S. Route 66.

Lasting under the HJ banner until 1995, by the 2000s the Motor Lodge had been converted into a Comfort Inn while its Restaurant had become an IHOP as early as 1990.

Below & Lower: Unfortunately Barstow's signature A-frame Gate Lodge was razed and replaced with an unsightly characterless building. However its large-scale circa 1970s "roof logo" sign was recycled by the Comfort Inn.