Author: desteede

This is another example of a more suburban motel, as the location of Royal Oak is a city on the border with Detroit, Michigan.

The description states:
SAGAMORE HOTEL COURTS
Michigan’s Finest
Royal Oak – Woodward at Coolidge
Pontiac – Woodward at South Blvd.
On U. S. 10 – North Suburban Detroit
Excellent Accommodations
Telephone in each room
50 Rooms and Tiled Baths
“Travel First Class – It Costs No More”
–Even though this is a more urban location, the amenities are still quite limited according to the description, but this would be typical of the earlier motel designs. Since it is called a Hotel and not a Motel, it is likely that it was constructed in the 1940s. A check of maps of this area indicates the motel has long been demolished.
This card likely dates from the 1950s.

This oddly named motel is on the northern tip of the Upper Peninsula very close to the locks which connect Lake Superior and Lake Huron. It would appear the name is derived from the fictional character Rip Van Winkle, who slept for many decades before waking.

The description states:
RIP – VAN MOTEL
Across the street from famous “Soo” Locks
351 West Portage Ave.
Sault Ste. Marie, Michigan
Built in 1959  Phone: MElrose 2-2571
Singles to Suites – Family Units
Ceramic Tile Showers – Completely Carpeted – Spacious Lobby with T.V. – Excellent Restaurant in connection.
Frarnk Baccari – Owner-Manager
–This card shows some of the very typical mid-century accommodations and furniture widely used not only in motels but often in private homes. These pieces are now collector’s items in some cases.
The motel apparently has changed hands over the years, and there is a Lockview Motel in this location instead. The old buildings are gone and the new motel has new structures. The auto shown in the photo indicates this card dates from the 1960s.

This motel was situated to overlook the Straits of Mackinac and near the Mackinac Bridge. It was located in the Upper Peninsula of Michigan.

The description states:
NORTH STAR MOTEL
Mackinaw City, Mich. 49701
Welcome to Mackinaw City’s Most Modern Motel. 33 Units – Coffee Shop – Sandy Beach – Playground. Located on Beautiful Lake Huron, with Nice Island view – 1 Mile from Mackinac Bridge on U. S. 23 and U. S. 27.
Phone Area 616 – HE 6-5565  P. O. Box 705
–The original establishment no longer exists, but the buildings apparently remain, under a new ownership, now called the Waterfront Inn, which has the same building layout with extensive modifications.
The cars and presence of zip codes on the card indicate this card is from the 1960s.

This typical motel was built in Traverse City, Michigan but apparently no longer exists.

The description states:
MUNSON MOTOR INN
Traverse City, Michigan. On U.S. 31 North, in city. One of Michigan’s finest, close to restaurants and good beaches. Shopping centers nearby. Motel located on spacious grounds, away from highway noises. Air-Conditioned; Hot Water Heat; Direct Dial Phones; Large Televisions.
–Early motels did not have much in the way of amenities, and one of the most popular later additions was televisions. So important were these that they were advertised permanently on the road sign as shown in this picture. Later, color was also highlighted, and in the 1970s and beyond, cable services such as HBO also listed to attract the passing traveller.
Of special note is the automobile in the foreground of the photo, which is a rare and highly prized model today: a Jaguar XK E-type. The car indicates that this photo is from the 1960s.

This establishment is an excellent example of the earlier designs typical of rural motels in mid-century America. This combines both typical motel room accommodations with stand-alone cabins for more privacy and isolation.

The description states:
BLANK’S PLEASANT RIDGE MOTEL AND CABINS
3 Miles North of Petoskey on U. S. 31. Seven Modern Housekeeping Cabins, Fourteen Rustic Motel Units, Hot Water, Oil Heat, Gas Cooking. Near Good Eating Places and America’s Most Exclusive Summer Shopping Center. Hay Fever and Asthma Relief. B. D. Blank, R. R. 2, Petoskey, Mich, Ph. DI-7-7512
–Heating was provide by fuel oil, and cooking likely by propane gas tanks associated with each cabin and room. The reference to asthma and hay fever was related to places which promoted a more pollen and allergen free environment for sufferers of these diseases.
The establishment no longer exists, but there is a obituary of the wife of the proprietor, Lenora Blank. She and her husband operated the business during the warm months for 18 years. This photo likely dates from the 1950s.

The Manor Motel still stands in Newberry Michigan, where it was first opened 48 years ago in 1966.

The description states:
MANOR MOTEL
South Newberry Ave.
Newberry, Mich.
Gateway to Tahquamemon Falls
De luxe showers – Free T.V. – Carpeted large soundproof rooms. Family unites equipped with Beauty Rest springs and mattresses. Shuffleboard and playground. The best costs no more. Phone 561.
–Playgrounds with simple games such as shuffleboard were common for establishments like this one during the mid-century. Most such constructions have been demolished and replaced with pools where practical, as those are more commonly used.
The building has been remodeled on the outside, as can be seen at the link above. The date on the website indicates this card is from the 1960s.

This motel is located on the upper peninsula of Michigan, on the top of the northern finger of the Keweenaw peninsula. The motel is in the midst of the town of Copper Harbor and looks out over Lake Superior.

The description states:
KING COPPER MOTEL
Copper Harbor Michigan
North End of U.S. 41
Steam Heat – Bathtubs & Showers – Soundproof – Carrpeted – Seven foot casement Windows overlooking the Lake.
Willard and Shirley Kauppi, Proprietors
–As shown by the link above, the motel still exists in it’s original configuration and location. The object in the water near the shore is a floating platform, to allow swimmers to rest further from shore and dive into the deeper water from the platform. It is certainly long gone by now, possibly replaced by something more permanent and safer.
The card is dated 1957.

This motel is located in the upper lower peninsula of Michigan on Little Traverse Bay. The area is known for its characteristic fossil deposits called Petoskey stones, made of fossilized rugose coral.

The description states:
HAYNER’S MOTEL
JUNCTION U.S. 131 AND U.S. 31
1/2 Mile South from downtown Petoskey, Michigan
30 new, ultra-modern units, each with tile bath, we all-towall carpet, soundproofing, radio. TV available. Open year-around. Hot water heat.
–This motel was a bit more modest than the previous ones, indicated by the availability of TV but not located in each room. Also, while there was air conditioning, the heat was from radiators, rather than wall heaters which were the standard of the day.
The motel was built on the location of the Hayner family gas station, and was sold in 1988. The motel owner, Harold Hayner, died in 2008.
This card likely dates from the 1950s.

This artist’s rendition of the Georgian House Motel is clearly labelled Michigan’s Most Beautiful Motel, a bit of marketing exaggeration to be sure.

The description states:
THE GEORGIAN HOUSE
Michigan’s Most Beautiful Motel
Situated on the Lake (Straits of Mackinac)
Facing Mackinac Island
1131 North State St. St. Ignace, Michigan
46 Massive Units, Baths, Showers & Dressing Rooms. French Provincial Decor Throughout. Carpeting, T.V., Sun Deck, Luxurious Dining Room.
For reservations, call St. Ignace 666
–Some overseas travel sites still list this motel as active, but street view of the location shows no buildings at that location now. The information available says the motel was built in 1961, so the card dates from the 1960s.

This motel is not one of the rural establishments built near parks and scenic areas. The Motel De Ville was located just outside the city of Detroit, in the suburb of Royal Oak.

The description states:
THE NEW MOTEL DE VILLE
1524 S. Woodward at 10 Mile Rd., (U.S. 10), Royal Oak, Mich. Phone LIncoln 59433 – 1 Block from Detroit Zoo. Restaurant Next Door. Luxurious Large Rooms, Tile Tub & Shower, Television and Radio, Family Accommodations, Air Conditioning, Modest Rates, Back from the Highway for Quietness.
–The motel no longer exists on this site. In the background of the inset photo is a partially blocked sign for the Dipsy Doodle restaurant chain. These were modest diners located around the eastern half of the United States in the mid-century. All but a few are closed as is this one.
This card likely dates from the 1950s.