Whippany

Postcard postmarked March 12, 1967: Courtesy of Dan Donahue

Whippany, New Jersey -- 1255 NJ 10

Opened in 1965, the Whippany Motor Lodge featured 72 classically configured guest rooms. It was located on a highly visible parcel of real estate along I-287 at SR 10 between Morristown and Parsippany, NJ.

When built, the Motor Lodge totaled 34,600 sq. ft., and was all electric. Adhering to HoJo's standard design, its architect was Nathan Gurtman, and engineer for the project was Joseph Rosenthal.

Directory cover, May 1-October 31, 1994: Courtesy of Dan Donahue

Eric Paddon, a researcher and historian, discovered that Whippany and a sister Motor Lodge in Wayne were both owned by Prime Hospitality Corporation (Prime Motor Inns that had owned the Howard Johnson brand from 1986 to about 1991 was its predecessor). Prior to 1986, Prime had been a franchisee of the Howard Johnson Corporation and likely owned Whippany before HoJo's was dissolved. At any rate, Mr. Paddon said that Prime spent between $2 and $3 million to convert the Whippany Lodge into a 100 unit Wellesley Inn.

Photographs August, 2005: Courtesy of Eric Paddon

Remarkably long lived, the Motor Lodge remained a Howard Johnson into the late 1990s. When Mr. Paddon visited the sit in 2005, it had become a Wellesly Inn. Its sign continued to utilize the last "sign can" that once advertised the shortened "Howard Johnson." The heavily altered and somewhat "squat" looking Gate Lodge still served as the Inn's registration area/lobby.

Shown above is an original circa 1965 guest building. Note that the sliders on the first level on the building's parking lot side were replaced with windows. However on the swimming pool side, the sliders on both levels remained in 2005.

During the 1970s, the 38 unit building seen above was constructed, and the Motor Lodge increased in size to offer 110 guest rooms. Although is has been stuccoed and otherwise altered, its later "abbreviated balcony" design remains clearly evident in Mr. Paddon's photograph.