| Postcard circa 1960s |
Scranton-Wilkes-Barre,
Pa.
-- 307 Hwy 315 AKA Pittston |
Like
many other Keystone State HoJo's the Scranton-Wilkes-Barrie complex
was sited in close proximity to the Pennsylvania Turnpike and one
of its Interchanges. Moreover Scranton-Wilkes-Berre which was opened
in June of 1965 was nestled not just along the Turnpike but was
also convenient to the heavily traveled Interstate 81. In fact it
was located between the two limited access highways allowing the
complex to capture business from both!
|
| Satellite view © Microsoft Corp. |
| Photographs April 2007 |
The
120 room Motor Lodge built in a classic roadside layout survived
as a Howard Johnson's until 1999. It suffered from botched remodeling
projects mandated by Cendant's Stucco Mafia during the middle
1990s. However much of its hideous appearance came after the Lodge
lost its HJ, for it was converted into a Wynfiled Inn, Days Inn,
and by 2007 had slapped up the Super 8 sign. The once dignified
Gate Lodge had become a caricature of overdone tacked on embellishments--just
gross! |
| Photograph courtesy of Bob Venditti |
It
was small consolation, but at least the sliders remained as recently
as 2007. |
| Photograph 2005: Courtesy of Brian Florence |