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| Postcard ca. 1960s: Kummerlowe Archive |
Bloomington,
IL
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2613 S. Veterans Parkway |
Howard
D. Johnson invented restaurant franchising in 1935 when Orleans,
Mass. became the
first. Built during HoJo's heyday, the Bloomington complex opened
in about 1963. It also featured an adjacent service station and
gift shop for the convenience of its guests. The old Bloomington
Howard Johnson's endured several changes over the years. For a time
it was unbranded and then flew the Choice Hotel's Roadway Inn flag.
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| Brochure ca. 1970s: Dan Donahue |
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| Photos July 2005 & 2006: Phil Edwards |
By the end of 2005, the Motor Lodge had been repatriated. Even as it retained its Gate Lodge nearly intact, and as good as it seemed to have been that it became a HoJo again, the facility will most certainly cease to exist. 2004 showed that the guest rooms had been greatly altered. While new fixtures and furnishings were needed, it was a shame that the second vanity and other classic HoJo's features were removed. At least the exterior had not been painted over or stuccoed, made-for-Howard Johnson's mattress was still in use - - you never know what you might find if you pull up the sheets! |
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| Photos 2004: Scott Sargent |
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| Photos July 2005 & 2006: Phil Edwards |
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| Photo July 2005: Bob Vindetti |
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