This motel image shows an establishment built specifically to overlook the Soo locks complex between Lake Superior and Lake Huron. The Crestview still exists today.
The description states:
CRESTVIEW MOTEL
“The Soo’s Newest and Finest”
Luxurious furnishings – Hot water heat- Tubs and showers – Soundproofed – Wall-to-wall carpeting – Phones in all rooms and some air-conditioned – At foot of Ashmun Hill – Overlooking both Soos, American and Canadian – Open year around.
James Lambros, Prop. Phone 635-5213 or 635-5214. Sault Ste. Marie, Michigan. 45 Units.
–As can be clearly seen, this is an artist’s rendition of the motel, including the rendition of the view of the Soo Locks presumably from the motel grounds. This is a typical example of the most standardized construction of motels of the era.
The seal at the bottom left is common for motels of this era, and indicates an affiliation with the American Automobile Association, an organization which, among other activities, provided reviews, approvals and maps to motels and notable locations.
The card likely dates from the 1950s.
Tag: 1950s
Motel Bay De Noc, Cooks, Michigan
This begins a two week tour of American motels from the mid-20th century in upper Michigan. The first is the Motel Bay de Noc, built in the Upper Peninsula of Michigan.
The description states:
MOTEL BAY DE NOC
On Big Bay De Noc & U. S. #2, 106 mi. W. of Straits of Mackinac at Garden Corners
17 Mi. W. of Manistique, Mich.
Cooks, Michigan
Safe, Private Beach, Good Fishing, Completely Modern, Wall-to-Wall Carpeting
Frank E. Richards, Prop.
–The design is more typical of the second generation of motels, with more standard construction rather than the individual cottages of the 1940s and earlier. This differs in the convenient but awkward location of parking, where the car is immediately in front of the motel room door. Not only does this potentially make for awkward entry and exit from the car and room, but also unloading and moving bags in and out.
In addition, cars of this era were fairly noisy when started, and had to be run for a few minutes to be ready to drive. The car placement directly adjacent to the room would mean all that noise and potential smell would be inescapable to the room’s occupants, and possibly the neighbor’s room occupants as well.
The rooms were also unusual in that there was a front and back door, essentially unknown now, which allowed the visitor to exit onto the back park area and proceed directly to the lake and picnic areas adjacent. Equipment there is basic and typical of the time.
The cars shown indicate the card dates from the 1950s.
Mission San Miguel Arcangel, San Miguel, California
Mission San Miguel Arcangel is still operated by the Franciscans and its rural location allows the visitor a much more historical view of the conditions typical of the mission chain during the 18th and 19th centuries.
The description states:
MISSION SAN MIGUEL ARCANGEL
Founded 1797, San Miguel California
Once again in the charge of Franciscans, San Miguel preserves on the walls of its church the only unretouched paintings and decorations by Indian artists. The vegetable stains from which the aborigines made their paints remain bright to this day. The burros are popular fixtures.
–A remarkable feature of the mission is the arcade with intentionally variable arch heights and widths. The postcard likely dates from the 1950s.
Mission San Juan Capistrano Arches
This image features the details and construction of the arched walkway common to many missions throughout the chain. As can be seen through the eroded plaster the pillars and arches are made of fired brick while the ceiling is wooden beams.
The description simply states: C27 Mission San Juan Capistrano
–The official website for Mission San Juan Capistrano shows some of the evolution of the mission site and the current ruined state of the main chapel. This card likely dates from the 1950s.
Mission San Juan Capistrano Courtyard, California
Mission San Juan Capistrano is one of the most famous, as it has the tradition of celebrating the return of migrating swallows every year, which has been the subject of songs and films. This is traditionally celebrated on this day, 19 March, also called St. Joseph’s Day, every year.
The description states:
C384 – SAN JUAN CAPISTRANO
MISSION COURTYARD
This courtyard of the famous mission, with its surrounding ivy-covered walls, is where owls and swallows by the thousands take refuge. The arrival of the swallow on St. Joseph’s Day each year is a phenomenon anticipated by all.
–The mission has yet to be fully restored, though the chapel has been in constant use since its founding. The postcard likely dates from the 1950’s.
Mission San Antonio de Padua, Jolon California
Mission San Antonio de Padua is in a more remote area of south Monterey County. This means the area around it is more consistent with the original conditions that existed when the mission was founded. It also was one of the later missions to be restored.
The description states:
MISSION SAN ANTONIO DE PADUA
Founded 1777, near Jolon, California
Only recently restored and rebuilt by the Franciscans who use it as a school fort their Order, the charming setting in an oak-studded valley remains the same as when founded by Padre Serra. The walls and unique brick facade of the church, and a few arches, remain of the original.
–This mission was also the first to have a tile roof, as earlier missions were wood or thatch before being upgraded. This postcard likely dates from the 1950s.
Mission San Carlos Courtyard
This image shows the facade of the Mission San Carlos Borromeo chapel from the left side, viewed from the courtyard. The white adobe building has been converted to the welcome center.
The description states:
SAN CARLOS BORROMEO MISSION,
CARMEL CALIFORNIA
Since its establishment in 1770 it has remained an outstanding link of the historic Mission Trail. At the foot of its altar rest the remains of Fra. Junipero Serra, founder of California Missions.
–Father Serra chose this as headquarters for the mission chain which reached from San Diego to Sonoma. This postcard likely dates from the 1950s.
Mission San Carlos Borromeo, Carmel, California
This image shows the front facade of the main chapel at the Mission San Carlos Borromeo. This mission was one of the earliest to be founded, and served as the headquarters of the mission chain during the time of Father Junipero Serra.
The description states:
MISSION SAN CARLOS DE CARMELO
Father Serra dedicated the site for this mission at Carmel in June, 1771. It was to be the new location of the San Carlos Borromeo Mission then established at Monterey. The San Carlos Borromeo Mission i known today at the “Royal Presidio Chapel.”
–This postcard likely dates from the 1950s.
Mission San Juan Bautista Sanctuary Side
Further illustrating the exceptional width of the main chapel at Mission San Juan Bautista, this image shows one side aisle with its own altarpiece in the right foreground, and another aisle altar in the left background, along with the main altar through the arch in the center. Most Mission sanctuaries are barely wide enough for one center walkway.
The description states:
MISSION SAN JUAN BAUTISTA
Founded 1797, San Juan Bautista, California
Glimpse of a few of the historic art treasures in California’s largest old Mission church. Today 31 original paintings still adorn its walls and 7 wooden statues stand in its niches, all dating from about 1800. Above them, floating beams 40 feet long support the ceiling; in the tile floor beneath, wild animal tracks can still be seen.
–This card likely dates from the 1950s.
Jenson’s Motel, Providence Ford, Virginia
This establishment, unlike the previous one shown, is not a simple row of identical rooms, but actual individual buildings of various sizes for the anticipated larger or smaller traveling groups. These ranged from small cottages to small homes for rent on the grounds of the business.
The description states:
JENSON’S MOTEL AND DINING ROOM
Completely furnished 1-2 & 3 room cottages with private baths, also rooms in private home. Telephone Providence Forge 591 or write for reservations.
Mr. and Mrs. V. E. JENSON, Owners
On U.S. 60, Halfway between Richmond and Williamsburg at PROVIDENCE FORGE, VA.
–Featured on the card is a well appointed dining room managed by the motel owners, still a rarity in this era. Unfortunately, such establishments proved to be expensive to maintain and uncompetitive in the coming era of standardized rooms and services. The business no longer exists.
This card likely dates from the 1950s.