Postcard circa 1970s (detail)
 
 
Howard Johnson's Landmark: Spring 1971 page 3
Orlando-Major Center, Florida
 AKA Florida Center
 -- 5905 Kirkman Rd @ I-4
 

Anticipating the rise in tourism in the Orlando area, the then largest Howard Johnson's Motor Lodge in Florida was opened in September of 1971 -- just seven miles from the entrance to Walt Disney World. Boasting 261 guest rooms, Major Center was a licensed high-rise Lodge that also included a traditional Orange Roofed Restaurant and Red Coach Grill.

Due to unusual circumstances the Red Coach Grill was converted into a Ground Round in 1973 then back into a Red Coach in 1975!

With its 8,000 cubic yards of concrete and over 20,000 concrete blocks, the Major Center HoJo's complex remained largely intact until 1992.

 
 
 
Howard Johnson Company new employee orientation manual circa 1985
 
 
Postcards circa 1970s
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
Aerial image: © Microsoft Corporation
 
Upon losing its storied Howard Johnson's name, both the Restaurant and Red Coach Grill were demolished. Upon conversion into a Holiday Inn, a non-matching and unsightly 130 guest room high-rise addition was constructed.
 
 
Photographs March 2003
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
Aerial image: © Microsoft Corporation