The Siesta Court in Alpena, Michigan offered colorful spring chairs.

Sylvester, Georgia 

These court linen postcards are vintage American postcards produced roughly from the 1930s through the 1950s that advertised roadside motor courts.

Smith's Motor court

Mrytle Beach, South Carolina 

Many of these motor courts were located on U.S. Route 20. They offered vintage charm and direct exterior parking. 

A Postcard of the Motel Inn

Circa 1940s

The term "motel" itself is a blend of "motor" and "hotel" coined in 1925 by Arthur Heineman when naming the Miletone Mo-Tel in San Luis Obispo, California because he ran out of space on his sign.  It was the oldest motel in the world opening on December 12, 1925. 

  Across the country, thousands were touring in their cars.  Auto travel was becoming normal though on this day in San Luis Obispo, a town roughly between Los Angeles and San Francisco, something totally new was happening.  An architect and developer named Arthur Heineman had spotted a niche in the market.  His response was the Milestone Mo-Tel Inn.

Heinemann created a hotel designed specifically for drivers.  It had small garages next to several dozen  bungalows.  It cost $80,000 to build in its ornate Spanish-mission style with a three-tired bell tower,white pillars and a tree-fringed courtyard.  Up to 160 people could stay at the motel.  Units had modern conveniences and there were even rooms for chauffeurs.

It wasn't long before the Milestone had competition from other motels.  Heineman had originally planned to open a chain with 18 California locations, but he wasn't successful.

Starlite Tourist Camp and Diner

"Your Home Away From Home"

Circa 1952

Westfield, New York

The owner was Bert Maggio.  The Starlite Diner originally operated as a vintage train-car style diner with quaint cottages on US Route 20. Motor courts and cabins  heavily relied on linen picture postcards for tourism advertising.