Postcard circa 1950s
 
Madison, Wisconsin -- Junction Highways 12 & 14
 

Madison's stand-alone Restaurant opened in 1951, and was an early classic Nims design. The small location featured a typical trapezoid sign of the era, and was topped with a neon Simple Simon and the Pieman figural which incorporated a Lamp. Contrary to popular belief by some roadside historians and sign experts, the Simple Simon, and the Pieman with Lamp signs were commonly used by the Restaurant chain.

After the Motor Lodge concept was developed in the middle 1950s, the Howard Johnson Company created new logos. At about that time, the Lamp motif was largely removed from Restaurant signage as well as marketing and was incorporated into a Lamplighter symbol which denoted the Motor Lodges. Thus nearly all of the old early 1950s restaurant signs were replaced with signage that did not feature a Lamp.
 
Photograph may 2006: Courtesy of Phil Edwards
 

HoJo's Memory ... Andy G. wrote that he ate at the Madison, WI HJ restaurant often as a kid, and enjoyed the fried clam strips & hot dogs. He recalled that the building was remodeled and became a Ground Round in the mid 1970's, then in the mid to late '80's, it was greatly expanded and became office space. He said in order to get a photo from the same angle as the original postcard would require standing on a six-lane freeway, which would be pretty dangerous! Finally he added that at least some part of the original Nims building was still there and its roofline can be seen from a certain angle.

Above: Phil Edwards discovered that the only readily apparent clue about the location was the recycled Ground Round sign still at the site.
 
 
WestCapitol
 
Architectural Record: July 1952, page 283
 
Milwaukee, Wisconsin -- 3473 S 27th St (3333 S 27th St)
 
 
 

Shown here is believed to be Milwaukee's and Wisconsin's first Howard Johnson's. Likely opened in 1950, Grassold & Johnson as well as Joseph Cicco (HoJo's corporate architect) were the project's designers.

Armstrong, maker of acoustical materials, touted the Restaurant's use of its Travertone and asbestos ceiling tiles to create pleasant surroundings for diners in a 1950s testimonial advertisement.

Below: By the middle 2000s an Omega family Restaurant was situated where Wisconsin's first HoJo's had been.
 
 
Photograph may 2006: Courtesy of Phil Edwards
 
 
Glendale
 
Photograph may 2006: Courtesy of Phil Edwards
 
Milwaukee-Glendale, Wisconsin -- 631 Silver Springs Rd
 
The last stand-alone Restaurant in the state opened in 1959, and was the last to remain open. It was listed as a Howard Johnson's restaurant until about 1976. After that it was converted into a Ground Round and then demolished to make way for a small retail store development.
 
 
Milwaukee
 
Photograph may 2006: Courtesy of Phil Edwards
 
Milwaukee, Wisconsin -- 7822 W Capitol Dr (7800 W Capitol Dr)
 
Howard Johnson's directories are unclear about this location. First listed to be opened in 1951, no further mention of it appears until 1957. By 2005 its site was occupied by an Omega Burger.