In 1925 an enterprising entrepreneur realized the value of location as well as a new concept for travel lodgings. The Motel Inn in San Luis Obispo became the first "Motor Hotel" or "Motel." The word "motel" was invented for this particular establishment, on the way to "motel" being a generic noun.
The 1st was named "Milestone".
Salient features of motels were also created with the Motel Inn, such as individual units with a parking space for an automobile directly in front of the unit's door.
The Motel Inn was originally located adjacent to highway 1, which became highway 101, which now is freeway 101.
Catching the eye of the weary traveler was key to motel success. In the land of the padres, church bells, caballeros and rancheros, what better way to draw the attention of travelers than the vision of a modern-day mission, a miniature of what arriving guests might have just visited on the way from L.A.? Heineman housed the public rooms in white stucco buildings with red tile roofs.
He built a tower inspired by the Santa Barbara mission and an arcade that emulated the nearby Mission San Luis Obispo. Red peppers hung from wood beams, and waitresses in Mexican dress served homey food. Cars were "gasoline horses" and garages "auto stables."
The Motel Inn has fallen on hard times. As of 1999, the Motel Inn was abandoned.
https://www.amexglobalbusinesstravel.com/100thanniversary/milestone_motel/
http://articles.latimes.com/2011/jul/02/home/la-hm-lost-la-milestone-motel-20110702
http://blogs.chicagotribune.com/news_columnists_ezorn/2006/08/worlds_first_mo.html
I loved this little place, stayed here in the late 1980's, lots of lemon and blood orange trees on the property.
ReplyDeleteIt looks like a cute little place... how was the room when you were there?
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