>
 
Postcard circa 1970s
 
 
Mercer, Pennsylvania
 -- 835 Perry Hwy
 

Opened in 1972, the Mercer complex was sited in a less populated western section of Pennsylvania north of Pittsburgh.

Like Delaware Water Gap on the other side of the state, Mercer was an early example of the "Mansard" style that originated in California. However unlike its eastern cousin at the Gap, it was built only with a Mansard lobby and its Restaurant employed the circa 1960s designed "T" type layout with a cathedral ceiling.

Photo 2005: Courtesy of Bob Venditti
 
Photographs 2003: Courtesy of Phil Edwards
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
photographs 2005; Courtesy of Bob Venditti
 
 
 
 
Photo courtesy of Phil Edwards

Long-lived, Mercer's Howard Johnson's restaurant was owned by the Howard Johnson Company and was transferred to Marriott in 1986. A busy unit attracting both locals and travellers, Marriott did not convert it into a Bog Boy but instead retained its Orange Roof and HJ name. When Marriott disposed of its restaurant chains, it gave Franchise Associates Incorporated (FAI) ownership of the unit. FAI assumed operation of the location in June of 1991 and sucked all they could from the Restaurant before selling it in the middle 1990s.
 
 
Below: Well-appointed as a Howard Johnson's, Mercer featured the deluxe line of fixtures and furnishings that had been offered for HoJo's restaurants by Landmark Supply.
 
 
Brochure circa 1970s: Courtesy of Dan Donahue
 
 
>