Las Cruces, New Mexico
 --2600 South Valley Drive
 

With an opening slated for June of 1974, the Mansard-style Las Cruces Howard Johnson's complex was ideally sited along Interstate 10 with exceptional visibility. The Motor Lodge was constructed by the Star-Hill Company of Albuquerque and owned by the ever colorful Maloof family. The site featured 100 guest rooms all with refrigerators, and cable color television. Leo Stedronsky, "a locally educated person," was its first general Manager.

The Maloof family which was once one of the largest Coors distributors as well as one of the largest shareholders of Wells Fargo Bank and owner of professional sports teams ended the Las Cruces HoJo's franchise in about 1989. The site was subsequently converted into a Days Inn and later became unbranded as the Teakwood Inn & Suites.

In the 2010s the site was for sale listed at $5,500,000 and described as an "outstanding project for a re-model or a complete re-build."


Right: Perhaps not PC today, the advertisement printed in the Las Cruces Sun-News on August 19, 1974 was then perfectly acceptable.
 
 
Brochure circa 1990s: Dan Donahue
 
 
http://www.commercialiq.com/listing/2933531
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
Photographs 2004: Phil Edwards
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
© Google Street View circa 2009
 
 
Photographs 2004: Phil Edwards
 
 
 
Above: During the 1970s with the Disco era in full swing the Las Cruces site offered a Rum Keg Lounge which featured nightly entertainment. The Rum Keg sign was recycled to point to the lobby following that past libertine era!
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 

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