postcards from atlanta: vintage hotel/motel postcards

Color photo by Kenneth Rogers. Mirro-Krome postcard by H S Crocker Co Inc, San Francisco, California.

Atlanta Airport Terminal Building, postcard, Atlanta, GA.

'Atlanta's multimillion-dollar airport terminal building is magnificent at night' - so states the postcard - 'when this golden light floods the vaulted arches of its unusual roof. For two hours each midday, the municipal landing field is the busiest in the whole country.'

This marked the fourth installment in Atlanta's series of airport terminals. It was inaugurated in May of 1961 but met its end in 1983, boasting a lifespan just over two decades. Atlanta proudly held the title of the nation's busiest airport, particularly from noon to 2:00 pm daily, with a staggering two million passengers passing through its gates in 1957 alone.

The construction of this terminal commenced in late 1957, with a hefty price tag of $21 million. Its demolition paved the way for the expansion of airport cargo facilities and the development of a hotel complex on the original terminal's 23-acre site (equivalent to 9.3 hectares). However, newer, considerably larger domestic and international terminals succeeded it in serving the ever-growing passenger demands.

Presently, Hartsfield-Jackson Atlanta International Airport, bearing the names of two former mayors, reigns as the 'World's Busiest Airport' in terms of passenger traffic. It sprawls across 4,700 acres of land and features five parallel runways.

Curteich Color 3-D natural color reproduction.

Holiday Inn Northwest, postcard, Atlanta, GA.

'1810 Howell Mill Road'. Restaurant - Swimming Pool - Free TV. Advance TWX reservations.'

In 1961, the Holiday Inn Northwest made its debut, situated five miles to the northwest of downtown Atlanta, along Howell Mill Road, near the interchange with the newly constructed 'Northwest Highway,' which is now known as Interstate 75.

For many years, it served as a preferred choice for travelers seeking a guaranteed level of quality. This location also gained popularity as a venue for a variety of events. 'The Old South Room' played host to seminars, auctions featuring 'damaged Oriental rugs' and antiques, as well as various meetings and presentations. Notably, it even hosted an event featuring the president of 'Sykes Hernia Control Service,' based in Chicago.

However, by 1991, the name 'Holiday Inn Northwest' had shifted to a different property, approximately ten miles further down I-75. Today, the site has been transformed into Piedmont West, a medical services satellite of the Atlanta-based Piedmont Healthcare hospital organization.

Curteichcolor, 3-D natural color repro.

Atlanta Central TraveLodge, postcard, Atlanta, GA.

'311 Courtland St N E - Located at Courtland Street Exit of Interstate Routes 75 and 85 in Downtown Atlanta. Heated Pool - Covered Parking - Elevator to All Levels - T.V. - Radio, AM-FM - Central Heat and Air Conditioning - "Beauty Rest" Extra Length Beds - Direct Dial Phones - Family Accommodations, Close to everything in Downtown Atlanta. A member of the world's largest network of fine motels.'

The structure remains in business today, though it now operates under the Motel 6 brand, known for its budget-friendly accommodations. Travelodge, with its modern spelling, stands as one of the earliest motel chains in the United States, officially established in 1939. This particular site has a history dating back to the mid-1960s and continued to function as a Travelodge until at least the mid-1980s.

Photo by Jos H Allen Jr. Industrial Photography Inc, PO Box 5413, Station E, Atlanta, GA.

Howard Johnson's Motor Lodge-Restaurant, Atlanta Airport, postcard, Atlanta GA.

1377 Virginia Avenue, located on I-85 South at Virginia Avenue exit. 200 luxury climate-controlled rooms, Rum Keg Pub Lounge, meeting rooms, heated pool, and all color tv. Courtesy car service for airport use and rental car agency in lobby.'

Situated just northwest of Hartsfield-Jackson International Airport, numerous key elements of the original structure have been preserved.

Originating as a restaurant chain that thrived for a remarkable ninety years, it held the distinction of being the largest of its kind in the United States throughout the 1960s and 1970s. Known affectionately as 'HoJo,' it became synonymous with travel for American drivers and holidaymakers, largely due to their widespread outdoor advertising displays.

‘Tichnor quality views', Tichnor Bros Inc, Boston, Mass.

Gary's Motel, AAA United Motor Courts, postcard, Atlanta, GA.

'Gary's finest in motel comfort, Atlanta, GA. 2275 Stewart Ave, S W Calhoun 1959, US Highway 41-19. Cafes nearby. Stop once... You'll stop again!'

A classified advertisement from 1979, featured in Atlanta's newspaper, announced an immediate job opening at Gary's Motel: 'Night Manager Wanted: Seeking a mature, married, and assertive couple for live-in position.' The inclusion of the term 'assertive' may hint at the establishment's unique character.

Regrettably, Gary's Motel met the fate shared by many along Stewart Avenue, some of which descended into blighted havens for illegal activities like prostitution and crime. In 1996, Gary's Motel was razed.

Stewart Avenue forms a part of US Highway 41, named after one of Atlanta's earliest residents, Andrew P. Stewart. Before the advent of the interstate highway system, this road served as the main route for travelers from the north heading to Florida. Many motor courts and motels emerged during the peak of this north-to-south traffic.

In 1997, an effort to revitalize the area led to the renaming of Stewart Avenue to Metropolitan Avenue, aiming to shed the neighborhood's 'red-light district' image, particularly associated with prostitution in the local motels.

Curteichcolor 3-D natural color reproduction.

Albert Pick Motor Inn, postcard, Atlanta, GA.

'1152 Spring Street NW. From I-75 & I-85 Take 10th St Exit. 210 Air-conditioned rooms, all with color TV and FM radio. Swimming pool. Dining room, cocktail lounge. Free parking. No room charge for children. Ideal meeting facilities.'

Albert Pick Hotels and Motor Inns once constituted a network of fifteen establishments across the United States, with its headquarters situated in Chicago. After being demolished, the site remained vacant for an extended period, a consequence of a project initiated by the Georgia Department of Transportation to reconstruct the 14th Street bridge spanning Atlanta's Downtown Connector, where Interstates 85 and 75 converge in the heart of the city.

Today, a luxurious high-rise tower containing the ultimate Whole Foods grocery exists here.

Americana Motor Hotel, vintage postcard from Atlanta, GA. "Spring at Carnegie Way. Nestled in the heart of downtown Atlanta: Featuring 350 luxurious rooms, meeting facilities, a refreshing swimming pool, complimentary parking, two inviting beverage lounges, and two exceptional restaurants."

The Americana Motor Hotel originally welcomed guests at 160 Spring Street in 1962 and proudly holds the title of Atlanta's longest continuously operating hotel.

The founders, Drs. Marvin and Irving Goldstein, not only operated this hotel but also played a pivotal role in the civil rights movement. They provided medical care to the children and families of Coretta Scott and Martin Luther King Jr., as well as other prominent civil rights leaders and their families.