When it opened in 1969, the Claremont Motor Lodge was the first in the Howard Johnson's chain to employ the Mansard Style. Since so many architectural styles originated in California, it is not too surprising to discover that the cost-saving Mansard was first experimented with in The Golden State.

Built immediately adjacent to what is now I-10, the 62 room Motor Lodge had good visibility and easy access. Since it was built in an area that had already been largely developed, the Motor Lodge had to be situated behind its matching adjacent Restaurant and service station.