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Howard Johnson's Motor Lodge and Restaurant Lexington, Virginia
Lobby Cards circa 1980s & 1990s
 
 
Howard Johnson's Motor Lodge and Restaurant Lexington, Virginia
Lexington, Virginia
 -- 2836 N Lee Hwy (U.S. 11 @ I-81)
 

Initially planned for a 1973 opening, the Lexington Motor Lodge and Restaurant complex was delayed until 1975 -- most likely because of expansion curtailment as a result of the "Arab" oil embargo. The 100 room five-story Motor Lodge offered guests a mountain-top view as well as standard HoJo's amenities.

By the late 1990s the site was owned by an outfit called Lex-Ex Associates which was headquartered in Danville, VA. Amazingly Lex-Ex strived to keep the site first rate and maintained the Restaurant, Gift Shop, and Motor Lodge in top condition.

 
 
Howard Johnson's Motor Lodge and Restaurant Lexington, Virginia
Howard Johnson's Landmark: April 1975, page 1
 
January Manager of the Month ... Emory Smith, Lexington, Va., accepts his Matador key from A. A. Stambaugh, executive vice president.
 

 

In the spring of 1974 Howard B. Johnson initiated HoJo's Manager of the Month program. He said M.O.M. was "to recognize the unit manager, to inspire him/her to continue to create and maintain goodwill and sound relationships with Howard Johnson's customers." Moreover he added; "The unit manager is out front, every day -- our corporate image depends on the local image he creates." According to Bob MacKinnon, vp/personnel, the award was based primarily on total appearance, guest relations, service, and food presentation.

I'm sure that a new car was a nice incentive, but a Matador--yuck!

 
 

 
 
Howard Johnson's Motor Lodge and Restaurant Lexington, Virginia
Photograph July 5, 2006: Courtesy of Marcus Nauman
 

Above: A difficult shot to get! Marcus Nauman snapped his quick photo of Lexington's guest building from I-81. Since the complex was somewhat hidden from Interstate view it would have relied on signage to direct guests to its location.

Below: Having arrived to the site in 1999, I was only a year or so too late to have seen the place prior to its stuccofication. Note that the original lobby mansard can be seen behind the newer facade.

 
Howard Johnson's Motor Lodge and Restaurant Lexington, Virginia
Photograph August 11, 1999
 
 
Howard Johnson's Motor Lodge and Restaurant Lexington, Virginia
Photographs courtesy of Phil Edwards
 
 
Howard Johnson's Motor Lodge and Restaurant Lexington, Virginia
 
 
Howard Johnson's Motor Lodge and Restaurant Lexington, Virginia
 
 

 
 
Motor Lodge high rises never had the character that the classic two-story facilities seemed to exude. Perhaps the lack of a vaulted ceiling gives the rooms a sense of austereness? Nonetheless Lexington's guest rooms were typical of HoJo's design and while Phil's room had been remodeled it continued to employ its second vanity, even as the privacy screen had been removed.
Howard Johnson's Motor Lodge and Restaurant Lexington, Virginia
 
 
Howard Johnson's Motor Lodge and Restaurant Lexington, Virginia
 
 
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