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Photographs December 9, 2006
 
After U.S. Highway 1 lost its status as a primary route for north-south travellers once Interstate 95 was fully operational, the future for Rockingham's Howard Johnson's was short-lived. Lasting nineteen years, the Restaurant was sold to Mr. Goodman who made the restaurant his own, but with few modifications. According to Ron Goodman, his father operated Goodman's for about 20 years then leased the building to others. The first lessee had been a former HoJo manager at the Southern Pines Restaurant, and he dubbed Rockingham "The Early Bird Cafe," which lasted for only about a year. Later another restaurateur operated Rockingham as a sea food eatery and prospered, but suffered a domestic dispute which resulted in the end of his business venture.
 
 
 
 
 
Photographs 2005: Courtesy of Robby Delius
 
 
 
 
 
 
Postcard circa 1950s
 
 
Advertisement courtesy of Robby Delius
Located near the Howard Johnson's in Rockingham was the Orange Bowl Restaurant at 236 S. Hancock. Featuring a bright orange roof adorned with a cupola, it was a HoJo's knock-off even as it promoted the orange! Robby Delius said local records indicate that it was open from 1965 to about 1974.
 
 
 
 
Photograph 2002: Courtesy of Bob Venditti
 
 
Photograph courtesy of Phil Edwards
 
 
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