White River Junction

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Photos courtesy of Nate Beyea, Late Winter, 1997

White River Junction, Vermont

From the looks of the Gate Lodge, the Motor Lodge was a HoJo's into the 1990s when a requirement was passed by the owners of the brand to have its franchisees "square off" the Gate Lodges in a futile attempt to "update" them only to have subsequent brand owners demand further uneconomically feasable changes made causing franchisees to abandon the once great Howard Johnson name in droves.

It is not at all surprising that a Motor Lodge and the much earlier restaurant were built here, for WRJ has long been a "meeting place." Rivers, Railroads, and highways all converge or meet near this village located within the town of Hartford, VT. Moreover, many attractions are in close proximity. The Quechee George, the Marsh-Billings-Rockefeller National Historical Park, the home of Augustus Saint-Gaudens, a Shaker museum, covered bridges and even Dartmouth College are all close at hand, so it is little wonder then that a Howard Johnson's prospered here for over 50 years.

Photos courtesy of Nate Beyea, Late Winter, 1997

Visit the WRJ Best Western at www.bestwesternjunction.com and take a virtual tour of the former Motor Lodge!

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