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Postcard circa 1960s
 
Sarasota-Airport, Florida -- 6325 N Tamiami Trail (U.S. 41)
 
Among the last group of complexes to have been built with the Nims or Ranch type Gate Lodge, Sarasota-Airport opened in 1959. Moreover it was unique in that neither the Restaurant nor Gate Lodge featured a cupola, for the complex was located adjacent to a runway of Sarasota's airport!
 
 

 
 
Photograph courtesy of Bob venditti
 
 
 
Photographs April 2, 2005
 
 
 
 
 
 
Surviving nearly until the end of the Howard Johnson Company's existence, Sarasota-Airport made it about 25 years. Eventually its site came to serve USF's Sarasota-Mantatee and the New College of Florida's campuses. The Restaurant was converted into a bookstore and parts of the Motor Lodge became offices for campus police and other support operations for the schools.
 
 
Postcard circa 1960s (detail)
 
 

 
 
Photographs April 2, 2005
 

Besides its odd status as never having had cupolas, the Motor Lodge was also somewhat unusual in that it offered a two-story guest wing that was physically separated from the main part of the Lodge. By 2005 it had been converted into housing units most likely for students at the adjacent colleges.

Note that just a hint of alternating color could still be discerned on the original balcony railing panels.

 
 
 
 
 
Photograph courtesy of Bob Venditti
 
Below: The guest building directly behind the Gate Lodge housed a print shop by 2005. Note the Edward Durell Stone inspired decorative concrete block screen hiding an equipment or dumpster area.
 
Photograph April 2, 2005
 
 
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