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Matchbook circa 1963
 
 
San Antonio, Texas
 9603 Interstate 35 North
 

In the Howard Johnson Company's long march West to the Pacific Ocean, the San Antonio Motor Lodge and Restaurant complex was opened in 1963--making it the first Orange Roofed complex in the Lone Star State!

Incredibly the San Antonio Motor Lodge remained a Howard Johnson's for nearly 36 years.
 
 
 
 
Postcard circa 1970s
 
 
 
 
Photographs February 2004: Courtesy of Phil Edwards
 
 

Upon Phil Edwards' visit in 2004, the long-lived Motor Lodge was independent and called Classic Inn and Suites.

Amazingly its grounds still contained the circa 1960s fanciful playground carriage that had been shown in the postcard view!
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
In order for it to retain the Howard Johnson name until 1999, the Motor Lodge's owners were required to square-off the Gate Lodge and add "button lights" (removed by the time of these pictures).
 
 
 
 
 
 
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