What
had been turbulent times of cultural upheaval for the people
living through them, the late 1960s now seem tame in many
ways to us. Back then the Orange Roofs of Howard Johnson's
dotted the roadscape at every twist and turn providing a safe,
reliable, and reassuring refuge from the problems of the day.
Representing
orderly progress for Americans of the recent past, the
roadside empire of Orange became a familiar constant in a
world of flux.
For
Larry Passaro, then a wee lad of nine, 1969 was a great time
to be alive! He had the good fortune of being a frequent visitor
to the Sunshine State, and even better, he got to experience
the many wonders of Howard Johnson's on his vacation adventures.
On one such trip, young Larry with camera in hand thoughtfully
snapped the series of photographs seen here. They serve to
document a long ago moment in time--way back in the summer
of '69!
The
Perry Howard Johnson's Motor Lodge and Restaurant complex
was just a few years old when Larry and his family spent the
night and was still at the top of its game!
Thanks
Larry! |