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

NEWEST LINK IN CHAIN

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.

The Ft. Myers Driftwood Motel, by Rufus Nims which later became a HoJo's, was Asheville on a smaller scale, and also the Motor Lodge resembled Koch's design that won him praise in Progressive Architecture. Both Nims and Koch believed that the Motor Lodges should be distinct from the restaurants and thus resisted use of cupolas or orange roofs in Lodge architecture (they and Howard Johnson's parted in 1958). The Howard Johnson Company quickly realized that their idea was flawed and set about to unify HoJo's image through use of long familiar and recognizable features and architectural embellishments.
 
 
 
 
Image circa 1955: The Howard Johnson Scoop
 

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
 
 
 
 
Postcard circa 1950s
 
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. By late 1971 this location had closed as a HoJo's, and was later demolished leaving no trace that it had ever existed. Reportedly a big box store occupies most of its former site.
 
 
 
 
 
Postcard postmarked June 11, 1962
 
By the early 1960s commerce along Asheville's Tunnel Drive flourished. An early "drive-in" style McDonald's with a single arch sign was operating adjacent to the HoJo's (it is very difficult to make out!).