| Photographs 1995 and below April 2002: Courtesy of Bob Venditti |
Clermont,
Florida -- 20329 U.S.
27 North |
Perhaps considered a northern gateway into the Orlando/Disney area, Clermont's access to the Florida Turnpike along U.S. 27 led to a number of hospitality concerns setting up shop in the area. The Clermont Howard Johnson's complex was a relative latecomer, not opening until the summer of 1972. It was officially listed in Howard Johnson directories until 1987 -- then for a year was just indicated on a map rather than having a listing. By Bob Venditti's overnight at the site in the middle 1990s it was wearing the Holiday Inn Express name. |
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| Photograph April 2002: Courtesy of Bob Venditti |
| Lobby card circa 2000s |
Fickle with its branding, the former HoJo became a Holiday Inn Express, Howard Johnson (again), Economy Inn, and then a Howard Johnson again! Seen above, the non-original portico is topped with the HIE shooting star weather vane, and the Howard Johnson sign was superimposed into the advertising picture. Unfortunately in the process of going from brand to brand, the former Motor Lodge endured layers of unnecessary stucco and paint as well as a tacky boxed mansard effect for the guest buildings. |
| Photographs September 1999 & March 2003 |
Operating
again as a Howard Johnson in 1999, its Restaurant had been abandoned
as an eatery. An office had been set up in the Dairy Bar area
with the backdrop still intact! The rest of the former Restaurant
looked to be used mainly for storage. |
