Postcard circa 1970
 
Staunton, Virginia -- U.S. 11 & 340
 
This was the Motor Lodge that almost was! Constructed in the 1960s with only 32 guest rooms, the original plans were to add many more. It was located across the road from the Staunton Howard Johnson's Restaurant which had remained open until at least 1986. However after having served as the Pink Cadillac, by 2002 it had been demolished and the motel couldn't decide whether it wanted to be an Econo Lodge or a Budget Host. Even though directories listed the adjacent HJ restaurant as being in Staunton, it was in fact well south of the town and located at the county line just off of I-81.
 
Photographs courtesy of Tim & Tom Bernert
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
Remarkably similar to HoJo's early to middle 1960s style guest rooms, Tim & Tom Bernert reported that the property even had roll-aways that were identical to the ones that were used in Howard Johnson's.
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
Postcard circa 1970
Aside from the lack of a Gate Lodge and inclusion of the Hessian House, the guest buildings unlike HoJo's featured only a central exterior stairwell. Since local codes required more exits, emergency ladders were placed at each end of the buildings.
 
 
Photographs August 2002
 
 
 
 
Photographs courtesy of Phil Edwards