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The
venerable circa 1955 Restaurant was modified in 1973 in order to
accommodate its integration with Mr. Giessow's then new Motor Lodge.
Note that Orange Roof tiles were utilized in the modified section
above the Simple Simon and the Pieman, but that the tiles were removed
by 2000. Moreover the 1993 photo below shows where there had once
been a clock in the cupola's base--by 2000 an FAI era "Howard
Johnson's" sign had been installed over its place. |
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| Photo September 1993: Scott Sargent |
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| Postcard ca. 1973: Kummerlowe Archive |
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| Brochures ca. 1980s-'90s: Dan Donahue |
With land available, Mr. Giessow expanded his Kirkwood Howard Johnson's into a complete and well-integrated complex in 1973. His Motor Lodge was a compact six story 114 guest room facility. While it did not feature a Gate Lodge, its drive-under canopy was trimmed with Orange Porcelain Enamel roof tiles! No doubt fed up with the shenanigans of Blackstone-HFS, the Giesows canceled their Howard Johnson's Motor Lodge franchise in 1994 and renamed the property the Best Western Kirkwood Inn (recall that between 1986 and 2005, FAI franchised the Howard Johnson's Restaurants--thus the Restaurant remained a HoJo's even after the Motor Lodge was renamed). |
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| Photos August 2000 & 2001: Kummerlowe Archive |
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| Brochure ca. 1990s: Dan Donahue |
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| Photo ca. 2000s: Phil Edwards |