Postcard circa 1955: Kummerlowe
 
Asheville-East, North Carolina -- 29 Tunnel Rd
 

Located a mile east of downtown Asheville this property opened with 60 guest rooms, and had the distinction of being the 4th Howard Johnson's Motor Lodge. It featured a design similar to plans drawn by Rufus Nims and Carl Koch.
 
 
 

NEWEST LINK IN CHAIN

The Asheville unit following the unusual designs that have been developed after years of research by Howard Johnson's Motor Lodges, Inc's architect is one of the most attractive installations in the South. Situated on Highway 17 and 74 against a background of stately pine trees, this installation of sixty rooms complete with swimming pool, wading pool and Howard Johnson's Restaurant dominates the landscape.

Built and owned by Mr. Harold C. Wilburn of Asheville, guests are provided with every conceivable comfort at the same moderate rates prevalent in all Howard Johnson's Motor Lodges and Restaurants. Each room is air conditioned and has two lavatories so that two people can clean up without interference. Tub and shower baths are modern and colorful. Free Television is provided in every room. All rooms face the terrace gardens and swimming pool and guests may relax after a long day on the road by looking through the ceiling to floor picture windows into these gardens, and not into the radiator of the car they have been driving all day.

From The Howard Johnson Scoop Summer 1955
 
 
Postcard circa 1955: Kummerlowe
 
 
Postcards circa 1960s: Kummerlowe
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 

A busy roadside commercial strip developed in the area near and around Asheville's Howard Johnson's complex. During the 1960s, the Motor Lodge was enlarged with a new 25 unit guest wing, and the Restaurant received a "spire" cupola as well as other renovations. Note that an early McDonalds was built near the site and its sign can be seen in the postcard above, if magnified--remarkable as recently as 2017 there was still a McDonald's at the site!

By the early 1970s the property had ceased being a Howard Johnson's and was probably demolished in the 1980s. A Walmart was constructed in the HoJo's spot but it too was subsequently demolished and an Ingle's Market was built in its place.

 
Photographs 2007: Phil Edwards
 
Looking across the Walmart parking lot, Phil Edwards discovered that the scene was from nearly the exact spot as the view depicted in the two old 1960s postcards of the Howard Johnson's shown above!
 
 

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