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Postcard
postmarked April 1970: Kummerlowe Archive |
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Nashville-West,
TN |
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6834 Charlotte Pike @ I-40 |
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Opened
in 1968, Nashville's second Motor Lodge complex was
situated on a lofty site overlooking Interstate 40.
Back when it was built, the cleared land would have
allowed the complex to enjoy excellent visibility. Moreover,
for travelers headed in the direction of Memphis, its
location was ideal to capture people motoring west since
its exit was one of the last leaving Nashville to offer
gas, food, and lodging! |
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--High
on a hill--
--a temple of hospitality--
--the A-frame Gate Lodge its iconic shrine-- |
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Photo
May 1, 2004: Kummerlowe Archive |
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Photos
2000s: Courtesy of Phil Edwards |
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Photos
May 1, 2004: Kummerlowe Archive |
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Photos
2000s: Courtesy of Phil Edwards |
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Although
it was perhaps a bit worn by the early 2000s, the Nashville-West
Motor Lodge was in remarkably good shape considering
that it was approaching its 40th anniversary by the
time of these photos.
Having
been gently remodeled in the middle 1980s, the property
suffered a somewhat harsh make-over to its Gate Lodge
in the 1990s. Nonetheless the Gate Lodge remained a
speculator sight even though three of its sides had
been "squared" and its spire and weather vane
removed. |
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Right:
Hidden from HFS/Cendant's (HoJo's brand owners during
the 1990s) destructive view, the back side of the Gate
Lodge was never squared off, and its brick was not stuccoed
over!
Below:
Seen from the second floor corridor of the guest building,
insulation indicated where a false ceiling was installed
in the Gate Lodge. |
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Photo
January 15, 2006: Courtesy of Heath Gross |
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Photograph
May 1, 2004: Kummerlowe Archive |
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Above:
Save for its false ceiling, the Gate Lodge's interior left
no doubt for patrons that they were inside a Howard Johnson's
lobby. Note that the reception desk fronted with rectangular
panels and trimmed in metal was original to the property.
Below:
A traveling businessman dressed properly in his sport coat
and slacks checks in to the HoJo's. Note to his left was
an original orange colored "dial-a-mile" distance
checker to the next Howard Johnson's! |
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Photo
June 2003: Courtesy of Bob Venditti |
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