Taking their name from an amalgamation of the words "motor" and "hotel", motels were conceived as roadside lodges for pioneering American motorists who increasingly set out on vacations by car. As such, the motel's development has largely paralleled that of the automobile. Renowned pop culture historian Michael Karl Witzel examines the evolution, architecture and decor of the American motel in all its forms, from the traditional "motor court" to gimmicks like individual miniature log cabins, cement tepees, and more. An intensely visual presentation also features photography of advertising and collectible memorabilia and souvenirs, and is accompanied by an authoritative history of the motels genesis and its development to the present day.
| Acknowledgments |
|
6 | (1) |
| Preface |
|
6 | (3) |
|
The Early Days of Roadside Rest |
|
|
|
Auto Gypsies Redefine American Tourism |
|
|
9 | (36) |
|
From Autocamps to Tourist Courts |
|
|
|
Turning Tents into Cozy Little Cabins |
|
|
45 | (36) |
|
Catering to the Automotive Tourist |
|
|
|
The Rise of Motels in America |
|
|
81 | (36) |
|
Pleasant Dreams Along the Roadside |
|
|
|
Moving Toward Motel Mass Production |
|
|
117 | (36) |
|
Life and Death Along Gasoline Alley |
|
|
|
Roadside Lodging Moves into the Future |
|
|
153 | (35) |
| Bibliography |
|
188 | (3) |
| Index |
|
191 | |
Shopping Cart
