Photo 2006: Courtesy of Bob Venditti

Having lost its Orange Roof in the middle 1980s, Lake Wales was eventually converted into the Green Gables Inn. Its owners were careful to tastefully remodel the property and included the addition of gables outlined in green neon to reinforce the motel's post HoJo's name. While the renovation added years of viability to the former Motor Lodge, it resulted in considerable stucco and the loss of the transom windows that were helpful to guest room air circulation.

Photo December 8, 2007: Kummerlowe Archive

Above, Below & Lower: Lake Wales was built with a non-standard guest building. It was designed with back-to-back single rooms and open-to-the-room vanities. The building was typical of motels of the era, but was surprising to see as a part of the Howard Johnson's.

Photo 2006: Courtesy of Bob Venditti

Photos December 2007: Kummerlowe Archive

Photos 2006: Courtesy of Bob Venditti

Photo March 2003: Kummerlowe Archive

Touting itself as a "resort motel," the Green Gables continued to offer a pleasant setting as recently as 2007. However an ownership and/or management change during the middle 2000s does not bode well for the future of the former HoJo's. On the exterior, tasteful white stucco was painted a more gaudy yellow, and maintenance and cleanliness appear to have slipped several notches.

Photo 2007: Kummerlowe Archive

Photo 2003: Kummerlowe Archive

Photo 2007: Kummerlowe Archive