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Los Angeles Times
15-05-2025
- Entertainment
- Los Angeles Times
10 vintage motel matchbooks that light up nostalgia
Denise McKinney says she has probably somewhere close to half a million matchbooks tucked away inside her Riverside home. She's been collecting for years and will typically pick up whatever strikes her fancy, no pun intended. She has specialties now, like matchbooks with animals on them or matchbooks that advertise radio and TV stations, but she says her biggest collection by far is books from Southern California, including vintage motel matchbooks. The president of the Angelus Matchcover Club says she likes matchbooks because of how they reflect a region's history. She's grabbed books that tout Route 66 attractions or places from her Orange County hometown. This year marks the 100th anniversary of the motel, a concept that originated with the Milestone Mo-Tel in San Luis Obispo (later renamed the Motel Inn). Though it didn't become widely known until after World War II, 'motel' is essentially a portmanteau for 'motor hotel,' or a lodging place where the rooms could be entered through the parking lot rather than through a central lobby. To get travelers in the door, motels used gimmicks to stand out among the stiff competition, like neon signs and themed decor, but also promotional materials like free postcards and pocket-sized matchbooks. With the 100th anniversary in mind, we wanted to look back at some of Southern California's motel history as seen through collectors' matchbooks. These books represent just a small fraction of the thousands of motels that have operated in the region but are a great place to start. Collector: Cheryl Crill, Pasadena Where was the motel and what do we know about it? From the book itself, we know very little, only that it was on Hollywood Boulevard between Western Avenue and Vine Street and that it was allegedly both fire- and earthquake-proof. From postcards that appear online and information gathered by amateur historians, though, we know that the Town was a two-story brick motel located at 5756 Hollywood Blvd., and it was built in 1940 for about $40,000, site included. Each room had a kitchen and many guests rented by the week or on a long-term basis. What the collector says: A matchcover collector for over 35 years, Crill says she was drawn to the Town Motel book because of its modernist look and location. An L.A. County native, who's also the editor, treasurer and membership secretary for the Angelus Matchcover Club, Crill has around 2,000 matchcovers from Hollywood hotels and motels alone. What's there now? The Fusion Hollywood/Alta Ink apartment complex. Collector: Crill Where was the motel and what do we know about it? The book lets us know that the motel was located in the 'City of Stars,' at 2010 N. Highland Ave., just '2 blocks north of Hollywood Blvd. or 2 blocks south of the Hollywood freeway.' According to vintage postcards, it had 30 'lovely units,' all of which were fully carpeted. What the collector says: The Bowl Motel appealed to Crill because of its location, and the artwork goes across the entirety of the cover. What's there now? The site is slated for a 62-unit affordable housing complex for the homeless. Collector: Crill Where was the motel and what do we know about it? Located at 8585 Santa Monica Blvd. in West Hollywood, the Tropicana was purchased by Dodgers pitcher Sandy Koufax in 1962. He sold it a few years later, but in the meantime the hotel started to become a hot spot thanks in part to its proximity to the Sunset Strip. The 74-room joint became especially popular among rock 'n' rollers, over time hosting luminaries like Bob Marley, Led Zeppelin, Janis Joplin, Joan Jett and Sly Stone. Both Jim Morrison and Tom Waits were long-term residents, holding down rooms at the Tropicana for years. What the collector says: While Crill says she collected this matchbook because of where the hotel was located, she notes that it also would appeal to Koufax or baseball collectors or those who collect matchbooks from businesses owned by 'VIPs.' What's there now? The Ramada Plaza by Wyndham West Hollywood Hotel & Suites. Collector: Crill Where was the motel and what do we know about it? Offering 'resort living,' according to a postcard, the Algiers was located at 445 N. Rossmore Ave. It had a cocktail lounge and a dining room, as well as expansive green vistas from its pool deck thanks to its proximity to the Wilshire Country Club. Those who chose to stay at the Algiers also got complimentary tickets to TV show tapings at nearby studios, an amenity more than a few Hollywood motels offered back in the day. What the collector says: Calling yourself something like 'the Algiers,' Crill says, could make visitors choose to stay there just because they thought it sounded exotic. What's there now? The Windsor at Hancock Park Apartments. Collector: Olivia Frescura, Beverly Grove Where was the motel and what do we know about it? The book gives us relatively little to go on, saying just that the motel was located at 3019 E. Colorado Blvd. in Pasadena, along Route 66. It also names the then-owners, George and Corinne Macklem, which matchbooks of the era often did in order to make staying there feel like a more personalized experience. From old postcards online, though, we can see that the Clark was built sometime in the early '40s and had 22 cottages on-site, 16 with kitchenettes, as well as a heated pool. It went through some renovations and at times advertised that patrons would have access to private telephones, full tiled baths and 'free hi-fi music.' What the collector says: A relative newcomer to the matchbook game, Frescura started collecting just seven or so years ago, in part because she was working as a social media manager for a hospitality company at the time. Now, the content creator collects both old and new matchbooks, posting them on her @MatchesInLA Instagram account. She says she was drawn to the Clark Motel book in part because she grew up in South Pasadena but also because she liked the color, which she says is close to one of the colors she uses in her own business logo. What's there now? The Ganahl Lumber Yard's parking lot. Collector: Denise McKinney, Riverside Where was the motel and what do we know about it? A Riverside institution since the 1950s, the Farm House was located at 1393 8th St. Each little barn-shaped bungalow suite offered a bedroom, bathroom, living room and kitchen, and the book says patrons could come 'for a night … or a vacation.' Operated for about 32 years by Isidore and Marie Claire Camou, the Farm House's design paid tribute to the area's agricultural heritage, including the dairies that once filled the countryside. In 2019, the structure — which has always kept the same barn-shaped neon sign — was designated as a city of Riverside Historic Landmark, in part because it was one of the last remaining examples of a motor court in the region. What the collector says: As a local, McKinney has known about the Farm House for years. She calls the Farm House 'charming' and 'country-western-looking,' hailing it as a 'very good relic of roadside architecture.' What's there now? The Farm House Collective, a restaurant and shopping center that opened in March. Collector: McKinney Where was the motel and what do we know about it? Located in Buena Park, the Pioneer Motel was one of many that popped up in Orange County in the 1950s and '60s in the wake of the Disneyland tourism boom. According to vintage postcards, the ranch-style motel had two pools, TVs in most rooms and was close to other restaurants and theaters. What the collector says: McKinney grew up in Orange County, 'right there on Beach Boulevard,' she says. She's always liked the string of motels and attractions along that strip and says that in both Buena Park and Anaheim, motels often would be designed around a theme, whether it was pioneers or knights or something fantasy-related. 'They had to do their best to get people to stay there,' McKinney says, 'so they had to advertise what they had versus the hotel next door, because they literally were all right next to each other like boom, boom, boom.' What's there now? An empty lot owned by the city of Buena Park. Collector: McKinney Where was the motel and what do we know about it? A 54-unit structure located at 2711 Wilshire Blvd. in Santa Monica, the Red Apple Motel was the sister property to the nearby William Tell Motel and Apartments. The Red Apple attracted Route 66 tourists and beach bums alike who could avail themselves of the Red Apple's in-room radios and kitchenettes. What the collector says: Like Orange County, Santa Monica has always attracted a lot of tourists. That's why, McKinney says, motels like the Red Apple and William Tell chose to brand themselves so distinctively. 'If you look through all the other motels that were in Santa Monica at the time, they're all very beachy themed or trying to be glamorous,' McKinney says. 'I think the Red Apple's look makes it stand out. [The Red Apple and the William Tell] did a great job with all their graphics and postcards and other matchbooks, which just goes to show you that people knew their competition. They knew, 'We've got to get people to stay here somehow.'' What's there now? A Chase Bank. Collector: Robert Donnelson, Azusa Where was the motel and what do we know about it? Located at 12059 Wilshire Blvd., the Don Lowell advertised itself as being '30 minutes to downtown LA and 5 minutes' from the beach. Each cottage had a kitchen and a garage, and the facility touted its AAA approval. According to postcards, it was a relatively small establishment, with just 12 structures, 'all with tile showers, innerspring mattresses, radios, [and] wall heaters.' What the collector says: Looking at the Don Lowell's structure makes Donnelson, an amateur historian and longtime matchcover collector, think that it was more of a 'motor court' than what we might think of as a motel, with a carport essentially wedged between each unit. Donnelson says he grabbed this matchbook purely because he loves SoCal matches, with about 5,100 L.A. books along with 10,000 New York City and 5,000 San Francisco books in his collection. What's there now? A Ralph's grocery store. Collector: Donnelson Where was the motel and what do we know about it? Advertised as being 'typically Californian,' the Pasadena Motel was a mission-style building located at 2131 E. Colorado Blvd., along Route 66. Operated, according to a postcard, by 'Mr. and Mrs. A.H. King,' the motor court-style motel offered patrons views of Mt. Wilson. What the collector says: Donnelson loves the bold blue-and-white graphics on the book's exterior, as well as the handy map inside. What's there now? The Travelodge by Wyndham, a popular place to stay during the Rose Parade due to its route proximity.
CNN
19-04-2025
- CNN
The world's first motel opened 100 years ago, but now only ruins remain
This week in travel news: the original 'motor hotel' sits abandoned, the world's busiest airports are ranked, and how to move abroad without messing it up. Hotels and guesthouses have existed for centuries. But the motel was born in 1925 when an architect named Arthur Heineman came up with the idea for a 'motor hotel,' shortened to 'motel.' The concept was simple but effective: Now that more and more people had cars and were going on road trips, they needed places where they could stop and stay the night along the way. Thus Heineman paired low-cost rooms with small garages where guests could safely park their cars — all for $1.25 a night. The Milestone Mo-Tel was located in San Luis Obispo, California, which CNN Travel named one of the best towns to visit in America last year. It's located midway between Los Angeles and San Francisco, and rooms at the motel had modern-for-the-time conveniences like hot showers and indoor carpeting. The design was inspired by the nearby Spanish mission. The original Milestone Mo-Tel, later called the Motel Inn, closed in 1991 and has been abandoned, but Heineman's idea still lives on 100 years later. Prev Next Ahead of the big summer travel season, Airports Council International (ACI) World released its annual roundup of the world's busiest airports based on the number of people served. Atlanta's Hartsfield-Jackson International Airport has been in the No. 1 spot for 26 of the last 27 years, with 2020 (when the pandemic threw the travel industry for a loop) being the only exception. Dallas, Denver, Dubai and Delhi also landed in the top 10. Check out the full list for more. But flying is about more than just lists and rankings. Australian airline Qantas is bringing back a version of its famous 'Kangaroo route,' which traveled from Sydney to London with some fun layovers along the way. The new itinerary lasts 14 days, with stops in Darwin, Singapore, Kolkata, Colombo, Cairo, Toulouse and Rome. It includes all meals, hotels, transfers and tours, which include perks like a private walkthrough at the Vatican Museums. The cost? A cool 49,950 Australian dollars (about $32,000) per person. Souvenirs can remind us of previous trips and help re-create the inspiring feeling of seeing the Great Wall of China or the Eiffel Tower for the first time. Besides being cute, some souvenirs have deep meaning. In Japan, one of the most popular gifts is a Daruma. These round red dolls are ubiquitous at temples around the country, but they actually serve a very special purpose: People who buy Darumas are supposed to set a goal for themselves, paint one of the doll's eyes, and then only fill in the second when the goal is achieved. Over in the United States, an unexpected place has become a souvenir hot spot: the Trader Joe's grocery store chain. Although shoppers can get the usual fresh produce, the brand known as TJ's has become 'the Disneyland of American grocery stores,' with travelers from around the world heading here for branded tote bags and Instagrammable treats. One of the most popular products is the 'everything but the bagel' seasoning blend, but be careful — South Korea has banned the item because of the presence of poppy seeds. Overdid it while shopping on vacation and worried you won't be able to fit all your purchases in your suitcase? Our friends at CNN Underscored, a product reviews and recommendations guide owned by CNN, have rounded up the best luggage organizers. When California resident Keith Richardson started thinking about where he wanted to move, he had some interesting requirements — his new home had to be near the sea and not near a Starbucks or McDonald's. Richardson found his dream house in the small town of Nardò, Italy, where he plans to spend as much time as possible post-retirement. He's one of many Americans who are considering relocating to Europe for a different kind of life. If the whole process seems overwhelming, these relocation experts have some advice for you. UNESCO's latest Global Geopark is in … North Korea. Mount Paektu is where Kim Jong Il said he was born. The White Lotus season 3 is over. But you can still visit all the filming locations in Thailand. Two strangers met at the Eiffel Tower and fell in love. No, not a romcom — this is real life. Tuvalu is one of the world's least-visited countries. And as of last week it has its first ATMs.
