 |
Fort Myers, Florida
2431 Cleveland Ave |
|
When opened, it was called
the Motel Driftwood and featured "40 new units, private
swimming pool, steam heat, and air conditioning." By 1957
the motel had changed its name to the Driftwood Motor Lodge,
and its design was strikingly similar to the early purpose-built
Howard Johnson's Motor Lodges. |
| |
| |
| |
|
The adjacent Restaurant
likely replaced an earlier unit that was at 609 Cleveland Ave.
That address apparently no longer exists as Cleveland (U.S. 41)
was rerouted and elevated near downtown Fort Myers. |
| |
|
| |
 |
| |
|
Postcard postmarked
May 21, 1957 |
| |
|
Officially the first
standardized Howard Johnson's Motor Lodge prototype was the Little
Rock, Arkansas location. However this older Fort Myers motel
should be recognized as the model where Rufus Nims first employed
his ideas that served to revolutionize property layout and guest
room design.
In 1960 or early 1961
the location was converted into a Howard Johnson's Motor Lodge/Restaurant
complex. Note the HoJo's
cupola that was added to the lobby in the view below.
|
| |
|
| |
 |
