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| Photographs
July 3, 2005: Courtesy of Phil Edwards |
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Rapid
City, South Dakota --
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The
Rapid City complex once boasted that it offered the largest convention
facility within a three state radius, and was as large as a shopping
mall! Opened in 1971 along with the Sioux
Falls Howard Johnson's, both locations had the same owner. However
unlike the more modern looking Sioux Falls HoJo's, Rapid City featured
a traditional A-frame Gate Lodge and Nims style Restaurant -- both
now demolished and replaced with newer buildings. |
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| Rapid
City remained a HJ until 1999. Its owners spent $13 million
converting it into a Ramkota
Hotel part of a regional chain of Best Westerns. Its street
facing rooms received an unsightly stuccofication and balcony/patio
removal. |
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Phil
Edwards discovered that the parking lot sides of Rapid City's
guest buildings happily retained the original and attractive HoJo's
design--even some unstuccoed natural brick!. |
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