Oshkosh

Brochure circa 1990s: Courtesy of Bob Venditti

Oshkosh, Wisconsin -- 1919 Omro Rd

Photographs Nonvember, 2002: Courtesy of Bob Venditti

Dating from about 1965, Oshkosh incorporated the best of Howard Johnson's design into its complex.

Building placement had been sited to maximize street appeal. Motorist's eyes, guided by the gleaming Orange Roofs of both the gate Lodge and Restaurant, were also offered a clear view of a crisply lined guest building that ran parallel to Omro Road.

By 2002, Oskosh's Motor Lodge was one of Wisconsin's last three original HoJo's, and one of only a few left in the world to retain a cupola topped and Orange roofed Gate Lodge to beckon travelers!

Bob Venditti noted that the guest wing to the left was a later addition and sported what he called "Pebbles and Bam-Bam" or "Chattahoochee rock" facing!

To the right was an original circa 1965 wing.

Operating as Two Brother's Restaurant in 2002, the former HJ featured a Denny's shaped sign similar to the one Mr. Venditti photographed on the former Milwaukee-Airport Restaurant. Bob said that the Restaurant looked to be doing a "steady business," and that the white roof in the shot above was caused by early morning frost.