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Postcard circa 1960s
 
 
Photos March 29, 2003
Lake City-South, Florida
 -- (Gainesville Hwy) U.S.41, 441 South
 

A very modern complex, and well ahead of all comers, the Lake City-South Motor Lodge and Restaurant facility opened in about 1957.

Built to the south of Lake City, its buildings and the layout of the site were based on a design by architects Rufus Nims and Carl Koch. Although slightly enhanced, it was very similar to the earlier and groundbreaking Ocala-South complex. Moreover both were built to capture travelers headed north or south on what had been the main highway of the era--U.S. 41.

 
 
 
Above: Mom & Pop type 20 room Buckeye Motel
 
 
 

Recycled Trapezoid Sign
With the opening of Interstate 75, Lake City's original Howard Johnson's was bypassed. Within a year of Lake City-North's opening, South had lost its name.

Nonetheless, the all ground floor 50 room Motor Lodge became a Thunderbird and continued to operate. Meanwhile a mom & pop motel known as the Buckeye, located about a quarter of a mile to the south of the former HoJo's, recycled the circa 1960s Howard Johnson's Trapezoid street sign! Nearing the end of its existence, the sign's "Howard Johnson's" labelscar was clearly evident. By 2005 the sign had been removed...
Photo courtesy of Phil Edwards
 
 
 
 
Photograph March 29, 2003
 
 
Photograph courtesy of Phil Edwards
 
Although its elevation was significantly altered with the addition of a gable after had had ceased being a HJ, the Nims-type building remained recognizable.
 
Photograph June 2003: Courtesy of Bob Venditti
 
 
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