Postcard circa 1960s: Kummerlowe Archive

Built not too long after the adjacent Connecticut Turnpike began serving traffic, the Milford Motor Lodge started its life in 1959 as a modest 76 guest room facility. Non-standard, it nevertheless featured an a-frame Gate Lodge overlooking the Turnpike on its sprawling hillside site behind the circa 1936 Milford Restaurant.

Below: The large site had come to accommodate additional guest buildings, and by the 1970s a standardized three story guest building and new lobby had been constructed to handle ever increased business.

Postcard circa 1970s: Kummerlowe Archive

Postcard circa 1978: Kummerlowe Archive

Photo May 1999: Bob Koenig

Photos October 2000: Kummerlowe Archive

The Howard Johnson Company introduced the a-frame Gate Lodge at the end of 1957 with the announcement of groundbreaking for the New Castle, Delaware Motor Lodge. Where New Castle's was a standard design (albeit early and "squat"), Milford's was unique and never replicated. While Milford's originally served as the property's office, it was replaced by a new lobby and eventually came to be called the Coach House featuring special guest facilities.

Photos courtesy of Phil Edwards

Postcard ca. 1970s: Tim & Tom Bernert