Postcard circa 1960s (details below)
 
Myrtle Beach, South Carolina -- 1205 N Kings Hwy (U.S. 17 @ 13th Ave)

Like four other early South Carolina complexes, Myrtle Beach started out as a stand-alone Restaurant in about 1953. Its adjacent Nims/ Koch inspired Motor Lodge opened in 1958.

Lasting twenty years, the one-time ultra modern Myrtle Beach Howard Johnson's relinquished its Orange Roof in 1978. By 2006 no trace of the Motor Lodge remained -- only the circa 1953 Restaurant turned Chinese eatery stayed in its spot.
Howard Johnson's Landmark circa 1960
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
Photographs March 2003: Courtesy of Phil Edwards
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
Howard Johnson's Landmark circa 1960
 

Providing the Ultimate in Comfort and Convenience
Myrtle Beach, South Carolina encloses swimming pool with Air Dome. This unusual feature is an invitation to guests for year round swimming. The pool and surrounding patio are completely enclosed . . . an are approximately one hundred feet in length, fifty feet in width, and a height of twenty feet permitting use of the diving board. The base fabric is nylon impregnated with Geon Polyvinyl Chloride and is supported by air pressure. Manager William Haigh Porter reports that since its completion in January room sales have benefited from this novel attraction. The Motor lodge offers week-end specials during the winter months ... the enclosed pool is a unique drawing allurement.

Ultimately the experiment with the Air Dome was a failure, but you should give them credit for trying something new and novel to draw attention to their Lodge!
 
 
Photos March 2003: Courtesy of Phil Edwards