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| Advertisement
supplement circa 1960: Libby Owens Ford Glass for Motels |
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Memphis-Airport,
Tennessee --
3280 Elvis Presley
Blvd (US 51)
AKA Memphis-South
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Typical
of Howard Johnson's Motor Lodges across the nation, registration
offices have glass fronts and sides. LOF Parallel-O-Plate©
was used here, for crisp attractive appearance. |
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| Photograph
2002: Courtesy of Phil Edwards |
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Opened
in June of 1960, the sprawling Memphis-Airport location was a
brave endeavor considering that it encroached on arch rival Holiday
Inn's home turf! Little expense was spared and all the stops were
pulled paving the way for the assured success of Memphis' first
Howard Johnson's.
The
Motor Lodge was configured in an early standard design which borrowed
heavily from plans devised by architects Carl Koch and Rufus Nims
during the 1950s while they performed work for the Howard Johnson
Company. Planned and built during an architectural transition
in lobby design, the site featured a Ranch or Nims-type Gate Lodge
rather than an A-frame.
Note
the site's Ranch Gate Lodge was still in use as recently as 2004.
As the photos above and below attest, it was heavily altered rendering
it largely unrecognizable. An aerial view of the property from
its HJ days was proudly displayed behind the registration desk
when I stopped to check out the place back in May of 2004.
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Austin
K. Hall, AIA, and Lewie Webb, Managing Director, discuss
100-room addition to the Motor Lodge in Memphis.
You
can almost make out the blueprint! |
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| Supplement
circa 1960: Libby Owens Ford Glass for Motels |
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The
Secret of Success . . .
Mr.
Webb said: The Howard Johnson franchise is a big asset, of course.
And the inviting appearance of our establishment, as you approach
it, is what stops them. You've noticed we've used lots of glass
in the restaurant, office and guest units. This principle laid
down by the Howard Johnson chain really works: Let the people
see what to expect before they enter.
Our
location on US 51 is and will be an increasingly important factor.
and we're the motel nearest to the airport. When completed, the
N-S Interstate Highway interchange will be only 900 feet from
our entrance. |
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| Brochure
circa 1972: Courtesy of Dan Donahue |
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Relax
at Howard Johnson's
. . .
Easing
of mind, body and spirit are the prime consideration of
your Howard Johnson's host. Our spacious pool-patio contributes
much to it.
Howard
Johnson's symbol of 1960s modernity -- the a-frame Gate
Lodge was used extensively in advertising and marketing
material for Memphis-Airport location, but in actuality
there was never an a-frame at the site!
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Funtime
at Howard Johnson's . . .
Certainly
children are welcome! To prove it we've set up a special play
area equipped with slides, swings, jungle-gyms, sand, water and
toys guaranteed to tire them out for a restful night's sleep,
too. |
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Indoors,
our Game Room invites you to a brisk work-out at table-tennis,
a fast set of push-ups, a dance step or two, a card game or
thriller, live and in color on the TV tube. |
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Elvis'
Secret HoJo's Retreat!
The Motor Lodge was only a short distance form Graceland--the
home of Elvis Presley and could count on a steady stream of patrons
due to its proximity to the iconic shrine to the King. Furthermore,
the site was near the Memphis airport and along I-55--factors
that accounted for its longevity as a Howard Johnson's. |
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