|
| |
From
the 1966 Brookland Cayce High School Yearbook
Courtesy of Kirsten Davis |
|
Columbia-West,
South Carolina
AKA
Cayce |
| --
500 Knox Abbott Dr (U.S. 321, 21, 176) |
| |
| Columbia's
first Howard Johnson's complex was opened in about 1963.
The attractive classically designed Motor Lodge was built
across from a pre-existing Restaurant and featured about
70 guest rooms in two-story buildings arranged in a 'U'
behind its signature A-frame Gate Lodge. |
| |
Left
& Lower: Many
Motor Lodges prominently featured playgrounds with fanciful
equipment meant to attract children who's influence was
often a powerful factor with where their parents decided
to lodge for the night.
The playground at Cayce caught the eye of more than a
few children and even some local high schoolers who used
the Pumpkin Coach for their yearbook photo-shoot! |
|
|
| |
| |
|
| |
| |
|
|
| |
|
| |
| |
| Photographs
2002: Courtesy of Kevin Cannon |
| |
Reminiscent
of better Days ...
Even near its end, and long after the Motor Lodge had ceased being
a Howard Johnson's, the property continued to feature its highly
visible playground complete with the fanciful Landmark Pumpkin
Coach that had made the place all the more special in the minds
of children. |
|
| |
|
| |
| |
| Photograph
October 2002: Courtesy of Phil Edwards |
|
| |
| |
|
| |
| |
| Photographs
2005: Courtesy of Tom Elmore |
|
HoJo's
Legacy
In 2005, the City
of Cayce acquired the Coach, restored it, and rededicated
the whimsical symbol of childhood delight placing it in the
city's Granby
Gardens Park. Children and people of any age can once
again take an imaginary ride of wonder in the Pumpkin Coach.
|
| |
Left
& Below: Tom
Elmore, who tracked down the coach, noted that not long after
its placement in the park that it served as a prop for photos
just as it had for the highschoolers of 40 years earlier! |
| |
|
|
| |
| |
|
| |
| |
|
