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Baton
Rouge-Northeast, La |
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7271 Airline Hwy (U.S. 61 & 190) |
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Prior
to the advent of the modern Interstate Highway system, the
Huey Long era Airline Highway (U.S. 61) served as the main
route between New Orleans and Baton Rouge, and served as an
excellent site for Louisiana's first Howard Johnson's Motor
Lodge and Restaurant complex. It all began in 1955 with a
stand alone Restaurant which was joined by its Motor Lodge
in 1959. The Motor Lodge was large for its day and offered
150 rooms all with "100% Weather Conditioning, Phones,
Deluxe Patios, Private Balconies, and 21" T.V.s."
Airline Highway itself became motel row during the 1950s and
'60s with dozens of lodging choices for weary motorists, and
the Howard Johnson's was in good company with several nearby
upscale motels including the Oak Manor as well as the Bellmont
Motor Hotel.
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1960
Yellow Pages ad page 179: EBR Parish Library |
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Brochure
circa 1960s: Scott Sargent |
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Postcard
circa 1960s: Kummerlowe |
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Ad
circa 1959: Tim & Tom Bernert |
Your
unseen host: THE TAYLORMAN
When Taylor was commissioned to build the Howard Johnson
Restaurant and Motor Lodge in Baton Rouge, Louisiana, the orders
went something like this: the newest ideas in comfort and beauty
... build it economically ... and do it all in 8 short months.
The Taylorman in charge met the challenge. Every Taylor project
receives the day-by-day, on-the-spot, nuts-and-bolts supervision
of a dedicated construction man. It is one of the many reasons
why anybody whois considering a major building effort should
talk to Taylor
Taylor
Construction Company
New York . Los Angeles . Miami . San Juan, PR
Taylor International Corp.
Modern,
tastefully furnished accommodations, always immaculate, are waiting
for you at the Howard Johnson's Motor Lodge in Baton Rouge. Conveniently
located on Highway 61, the Motor Lodge is near to Louisiana State
University and the downtown area via high-speed expressways. |
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Above:
Note that the artist's rendering of the complex in the Taylor
advertisement depicts the Motor Lodge as being considerably larger
than it came to be. Moreover, the ad claims that Taylor was commissioned
to construct the entire complex including the Restaurant, but
the Restaurant was built five years prior to the Motor Lodge!
Furthermore there have never been "high-speed expressways"
linking anything in Baton Rouge much less the HoJo's with LSU
or downtown!! |
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Below:
The complete complex--Motor Lodge, Restaurant, and Texaco Service
Station--the perfect combination. |
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Annau-Robinson
Color Productions Inc 1966: Tim & Tom Bernert |
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"The Fabulous Blue Room!"
The Blue Room cocktail lounge advertised "Dancing and Entertainment
beginning at 9:00 P.M. |
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The world-renowned trademark of Howard Johnson's
--the orange roof and cupola--beckons you to enjoy true
hospitality in Baton Rouge, capital of Louisiana and famed
as a sportsman's paradise. Here you will find excellent dining
and refreshing cocktails, served in an atmosphere of graciousness
and charm. You will find modern accommodations surrounding a beautiful
pool and patio are.
If
you arrive by plane or train, our Courtesy Car
will be waiting for you. Simply let us know of your arrival time
...
by writing, or calling EL 6-1461 |
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Postcard
circa 1960s: Kummerlowe |
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Photograph
2002: Kummerlowe |
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Above
& Below: Views of the Restaurant's former site looking
past to the Motor Lodge guest buildings. |
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Photographs
December 2003: Phil Edwards |
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Photograph
June 30, 2012: Kummerlowe |
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Time
Line:
- 1954
Howard Johnson's Restaurant built
- 1959
Howard Johnson's Motor Lodge began operation
- 1971
Motor Lodge became a Motel 6
- 1975
Last year for the Howard Johnson's Restaurant (a fire?)
- 1976
Former Motor Lodge became the unbranded Day Motel
- 1980
Former Motor Lodge became Jay's Motel with Nuggett Room
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1990 Former Motor Lodge became Pines Motel
- 2010s
The pines were felled and the site was rechristened as the
Crown Efficiency Apartments
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Postcard
postmarked April 18, 1969: Kummerlowe |
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