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Postcard circa 1970s: Courtesy of Dan Donahue
 
Punta Gorda, Florida -- 33 Tamiami Tril (U.S. 41)
AKA Seafaring Resort
 
Set to open in the Summer of 1967, the Punta Gorda Howard Johnson's was located on the famous Tamiami Trail.
 
Postcards circa 1960s, 1970s, & 1982
 
 
 
 
 
When the aerial shot was taken for the postcard above, the Trail which is also known as U.S. 41 in the area, was only two lanes going past the HoJo's. Later a second highway bridge span was constructed for those going southbound, and access to the Orange Roof was only easy for those travelers headed North.
 
 
 

Punta Gorda's ownership of the Restaurant was separate from the Motor Lodge. Having been a patron, Bob Venditti reported that the Restaurant still did a good business well into the 1990s.

The F. D. Rich Co., Inc. owned the Restaurant in 1990 and it along with their four other business ventures did $6 million in sales for them in 1990. Based on FAI information the HoJo's Restaurant remained open at least until about 1996. Unfortunately by the 2000s no evidence of it remained


Left: View inside the Gate Lodge with the spans of U.S. 41 in the background.
 
 
 
 
 
 
Photograph courtesy of Bob Vendtiit
 
 
Lobby card circa 1990s
 
 
Photographs courtesy of Bob Venditti
 
 
 
 
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