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| Postcard
views circa 1970s |
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Meridian,
Mississippi -- 110
Highway 80 East |
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The
city of Meridian is located north of the confluence of Interstates
20 and 59. The dual badged Interstate Highway utilized part of U.S
80's alignment through the area, and shows its obsolescence. Up
until the middle 1990s many pre-Interstate roadside businesses were
still extant--several with HUGE roadsigns!
Meridian's
Howard Johnson's complex was opened in 1969 not long after the local
Naval auxiliary air station became a fully commissioned facility
called McCain NAS. The NAS brought with it several hundred families
as well as the need for more motel rooms in the Meridian area. |
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the Motor Lodge complex featured a classic HJ layout with an
a-frame Gate Lodge and separate Restaurant. |
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interior corridor buildings offered 96 guest rooms--each was
configured with standard HoJo's amenities. |
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A
strange layout considering the road network, Meridian's Gate Lodge
was to the left of the property where it would not have been easily
seen by motorists after the completion of the adjacent Interstate. |
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| Photograph
December 2003: Courtesy of Phil Edwards |
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| Photograph
December 31, 2001 |
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In
about 1984, the Gate Lodge was demolished and a new lobby
was built on the more logical right side of the property.
At about the same time, 46 guest rooms, an enclosed pool/recreation
area, and meeting rooms were added to the site. Unfortunately
the improvements corresponded with the Restaurant's closure. |
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| Photograph
December 2003: Courtesy of Phil Edwards |
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The
Motor Lodge's back side was built immediately adjacent to
I-20 & 59.
Note
the Interstate exit behind the Howard Johnson sign, its proximity
provided especially easy access for west or southbound travellers. |
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