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Interstate 87 & Route 3 - Plattsburg, N.Y. 12901 Howard Johnson, offer 120 comfortable rooms with several poolside rooms, a spacious indoor pool, sauna, exercise room and two restaurants serving breakfast, lunch or dinner.
PENNSYLVANIA TURNPIKE “World’s Most Scenic Highway” Howard Johnson’s Dining Room
Interior of one of the Howard Johnson dining rooms. Here one may dine and relax in air-conditioned comfort.
Mailed from Inkster, Michigan to Mrs. John H. St. John of Miami, Florida on June 20, 1962:
Dear Ploomie: Ashtabula, O. to Dearborn, Mich. 254 mi. 8:45 A.M. to 2:40 P.M.Staying at Esquire Motel in Inkster. Cloudy until turned north on Interstate 75. There dining room, etc. only east of Cleve. so here only for rest stop at 10:30 A.M. - “Great Lakes Service Plazza (sic)” Lunched at Blue Heron Plazza (sic) at 12:15, yes, I had pancakes. At Aurora, O. saw cars lined up in a field, their trunks open to make little borders. Looked like a White Elephant Sale for Church or Charity. An interesting idea. Alden napping. - Love. P.S.H.
The year was 1925, the financial health of the nation was sound. Economists talked about "an era of prosperity" and the future seemed nothing but bright. However, the outlook for 27 year-old Howard Deering Johnson was not so bright. Johnson owed $40,000. He had voluntarily assumed business obligations left by his deceased father and had gone deeper into debt by borrowing $500 and taking over the operation of a small patent medicine store, soda fountain and newsstand, located in Wollaston, a section of Quincy, Massachusetts.
The store sold just three flavors of ice cream-vanilla, chocolate and strawberry. Johnson believed the number of flavors should be expanded, but first, he was determined to improve the quality of the ice cream he was selling. By doubling the butterfat content and using only natural ingredients-Johnson came up with what he thought was a superior ice cream.
By 1935, there were 25 Howard Johnson's roadside ice cream and sandwich stands in Massachusetts. During the last years of the 1930's, the number of restaurants grew to more than 100 along the Atlantic coast all the way to Florida. The first turnpike restaurant in the U.S. was opened by Howard Johnson's on the Pennsylvania Turnpike. The company soon became the leading tollroad operator in the country. Each restaurant was topped with a bright orange roof so the traveler would immediately recognize the restaurant.
Howard Johnson's had 400 restaurants in 1954 when the Company entered the lodging industry with the opening of it's first franchised motor lodge in Savannah, Georgia. By the late 1970's, HoJo's empire consisted of over 1,000 restaurants, more than 500 motor lodges, vending and turnpike operations and a manufacturing and distribution system. Despite this growth, competition from fast food chains and other, new emerging chains had cut into business.
Howard Johnson's was sold by the founder's son to British conglomerate Imperial Group in 1980, for more than $630 million dollars.
An effort with new management teams, new restaurant concepts and millions of dollars failed to rejuvenate the chain. All of the Howard Johnson's brands are owned by Wyndham Worldwide.
A “new” version of the old Howard Johnson’s has recently opened in Lake George, New York.
Special Thanks to HojoLand for the description and history.
Howard Johnson Motor Lodge - Rocky Mount, North Carolina
U.S. Highway 301 North P.O.Box 1264 Rocky Mount, NC Every modern convenience for the traveler Open continuously. AAA Approved. Phone: Gibson 6-5111
Howard Johnson’s Motor Lodge - Plattsburg, New York
Interstate 87 & Route 3 - Plattsburg, N.Y. 12901 Howard Johnson, offer 120 comfortable rooms with several poolside rooms, a spacious indoor pool, sauna, exercise room and two restaurants serving breakfast, lunch or dinner.
Howard Johnson’s Motor Lodge - Texarkana, Arkansas-Texas
Shooting to the Moon aboard the Space Rocket at Howard Johnson’s Motor Lodge & restaurant, Intersection U.S. Hwys. 67 & 82 East, Texarkana, Arkansas-Texas. Mailed from Texarkana Arkansas-Texas to Mr. & Mrs. Arth La Bay of Milford, Connecticut on October 16, 1970: Dear Irma & Arth - we left this place at 8:30 AM with Paul & Wendy and juss seen Texas I never seen before. We are stayed at this motor lodge. Its most beautiful place. it has play ground for children too. We ate so much here too. Wish you was with us. Love Sophie & Louie
Howard Johnson’s Motor Lodge - Penns Grove, New Jersey
Toll Gate #1 At The Southern Terminus of the New Jersey Turnpike. Penns Grove, N.J. AAA Approved American Express, Texaco and Diners Club Cards Accepted
Howard Johnson’s Motor Lodge & Restaurant - Tampa, Florida
3688 Gandy Blvd., Corner of Dale Mabry Hwy. and Route 92, Tampa 11, Florida. Phone 68-1511.51 Units - Private Swimming Pool - Luxurious Appointments - Moderate Rates - Free TV - Phone in Every Room - Central Air Conditioning and Heat - Open 24 Hours Every Day. Mailed from St. Petersburg, Florida to Mrs. Mary Donovan of Haledon, New Jersey on November 24, 1958: Hi Ya! Guess we passed on the way. Had a nice trip down. Stayed here one night. In a lovely spot on Treasure Island, St. Petersburg. Hope you enjoyed your vacation. We should be back by Sunday. Happy Thanksgiving. Love, Minnie.
Howard Johnson's Motor Lodge - Haverhill, Massachusetts
Interstate 495 at Routes 100 & 113 Haverhill, Mass. "IN HISTORIC ESSEX COUNTY" 60 Air-Conditioned Rooms with Balconies or Patios. Swimming and Wading Pools. FM Radio and U.H.F. Television. Golf and Beaches Nearby. Shopping Center and 4 theatres within walking distance.
Howard Johnson's Restaurant - Framingham, Massachusetts
Off The Massachusetts Turnpike.
