John Margolies Roadside America Transparencies
John Margolies traveled throughout the United States for more than thirty-five years taking photographs of American commercial architecture and design. The collection contains approximately 1500 color transparencies and includes images of theaters, gas stations, motels and restaurants among other subjects.
Biographical / Historical Note
John Margolies (1940-2016) traveled throughout the United States for more than thirty-five years taking photographs of American commercial architecture and design. Some of the photographs were used in the publication of his many books on the signs, architecture,...
MoreJohn Margolies (1940-2016) traveled throughout the United States for more than thirty-five years taking photographs of American commercial architecture and design. Some of the photographs were used in the publication of his many books on the signs, architecture, resorts, travel and tourist attractions in America. A complete list of Margolies' publications can be found on an archived version of his website held by the Internet Archive at https://web.archive.org/web/20170929110416/https://www.johnmargolies.com/.
LessScope and Content Note
The collection contains approximately 1500 35mm color transparencies and is organized into two series. The General series, 1973-2004, includes images of theaters, gas stations, motels, restaurants, hotels, the Atlantic coast, and tourist attractions....
MoreThe collection contains approximately 1500 35mm color transparencies and is organized into two series. The General series, 1973-2004, includes images of theaters, gas stations, motels, restaurants, hotels, the Atlantic coast, and tourist attractions. The Main Street series, 1975 2005, is comprised of civic buildings, banks, clubs, churches, barber shops and signs, and commercial buildings.
Researchers should note there is an item level inventory to the transparencies in Box 1. The inventory lists location and date the photograph was taken.
Selected items from the collection have been digitized and are available at: http://collections.thehenryford.org/Collection.aspx?keywords=%22John+Margolies+Roadside+America+transparencies%22
LessCollection Details
Object ID: 2013.150.0
Creator: Margolies, John
Inclusive Dates: 1973-2005
Size: 3 oversize boxes
Language: English
Collection Access & Use
Item Location: Not Currently On Exhibit
Access Restrictions: The transparencies are open for research.
Credit: From the Collections of The Henry Ford.
Digitized Artifacts From This Collection
In many cases, not all artifacts have been digitized.
Contact us for more information about this collection.
1 Hr. Drive-In Cleaners Sign, Klamath Falls, Oregon, 1987
Artifact
Slide (Photograph)
Summary
In the mid-1970s, John Margolies began to assemble a visual record of America's built roadside landscape. Over the following 3 decades he traveled thousands of miles to photograph the overlooked and often quickly vanishing structures that had grown out of American automobile culture and main street commerce. His photographs of hotels, motels, diners, service stations, drive-ins and attractions celebrate and capture a unique chapter of American history.
Creators
Keywords
Object ID
2013.150.1479
Credit
From the Collections of The Henry Ford.
Location
By Request in the Benson Ford Research Center
Get more details in Digital Collections at:
1 Hr. Drive-In Cleaners Sign, Klamath Falls, Oregon, 1987
What is The Henry Ford?
The national attraction for discovering your ingenuity while exploring America’s spirit of innovation. There is always much to see and do at The Henry Ford.
4 Lanes Liquor Sign, Winslow, Arizona, 1979
Artifact
Slide (Photograph)
Summary
In the mid-1970s, John Margolies began to assemble a visual record of America's built roadside landscape. Over the following 3 decades he traveled thousands of miles to photograph the overlooked and often quickly vanishing structures that had grown out of American automobile culture and main street commerce. His photographs of hotels, motels, diners, service stations, drive-ins and attractions celebrate and capture a unique chapter of American history.
Creators
Object ID
2013.150.1480
Credit
From the Collections of The Henry Ford.
Location
By Request in the Benson Ford Research Center
Get more details in Digital Collections at:
4 Lanes Liquor Sign, Winslow, Arizona, 1979
What is The Henry Ford?
The national attraction for discovering your ingenuity while exploring America’s spirit of innovation. There is always much to see and do at The Henry Ford.
5 Points Zesto Ice Cream Sign, Columbia, South Carolina, 1988
Artifact
Slide (Photograph)
Summary
In the mid-1970s, John Margolies began to assemble a visual record of America's built roadside landscape. Over the following 3 decades he traveled thousands of miles to photograph the overlooked and often quickly vanishing structures that had grown out of American automobile culture and main street commerce. His photographs of hotels, motels, diners, service stations, drive-ins and attractions celebrate and capture a unique chapter of American history.
Creators
Object ID
2013.150.208
Credit
From the Collections of The Henry Ford.
Location
By Request in the Benson Ford Research Center
Get more details in Digital Collections at:
5 Points Zesto Ice Cream Sign, Columbia, South Carolina, 1988
What is The Henry Ford?
The national attraction for discovering your ingenuity while exploring America’s spirit of innovation. There is always much to see and do at The Henry Ford.
Alamo Plaza, Shreveport, Louisiana, 1979
Artifact
Slide (Photograph)
Summary
In the mid-1970s, John Margolies began to assemble a visual record of America's built roadside landscape. Over the following 3 decades he traveled thousands of miles to photograph the overlooked and often quickly vanishing structures that had grown out of American automobile culture and main street commerce. His photographs of hotels, motels, diners, service stations, drive-ins and attractions celebrate and capture a unique chapter of American history.
Creators
Object ID
2013.150.335
Credit
From the Collections of The Henry Ford.
Location
By Request in the Benson Ford Research Center
Get more details in Digital Collections at:
Alamo Plaza, Shreveport, Louisiana, 1979
What is The Henry Ford?
The national attraction for discovering your ingenuity while exploring America’s spirit of innovation. There is always much to see and do at The Henry Ford.
Aloha Restaurant, Beaumont, Texas, 1979
Artifact
Slide (Photograph)
Summary
In the mid-1970s, John Margolies began to assemble a visual record of America's built roadside landscape. Over the following 3 decades he traveled thousands of miles to photograph the overlooked and often quickly vanishing structures that had grown out of American automobile culture and main street commerce. His photographs of hotels, motels, diners, service stations, drive-ins and attractions celebrate and capture a unique chapter of American history.
Creators
Object ID
2013.150.459
Credit
From the Collections of The Henry Ford.
Location
By Request in the Benson Ford Research Center
Get more details in Digital Collections at:
Aloha Restaurant, Beaumont, Texas, 1979
What is The Henry Ford?
The national attraction for discovering your ingenuity while exploring America’s spirit of innovation. There is always much to see and do at The Henry Ford.
Arctic Circle Drive-In Restaurant Sign, Ogden, Utah, 1990
Artifact
Slide (Photograph)
Summary
In the mid-1970s, John Margolies began to assemble a visual record of America's built roadside landscape. Over the following 3 decades he traveled thousands of miles to photograph the overlooked and often quickly vanishing structures that had grown out of American automobile culture and main street commerce. His photographs of hotels, motels, diners, service stations, drive-ins and attractions celebrate and capture a unique chapter of American history.
Creators
Keywords
Object ID
2013.150.524
Credit
From the Collections of The Henry Ford.
Location
By Request in the Benson Ford Research Center
Get more details in Digital Collections at:
Arctic Circle Drive-In Restaurant Sign, Ogden, Utah, 1990
What is The Henry Ford?
The national attraction for discovering your ingenuity while exploring America’s spirit of innovation. There is always much to see and do at The Henry Ford.
Artist Point Gift Shop, Mountainburg, Arkansas, 1994
Artifact
Slide (Photograph)
Summary
In the mid-1970s, John Margolies began to assemble a visual record of America's built roadside landscape. Over the following 3 decades he traveled thousands of miles to photograph the overlooked and often quickly vanishing structures that had grown out of American automobile culture and main street commerce. His photographs of hotels, motels, diners, service stations, drive-ins and attractions celebrate and capture a unique chapter of American history.
Creators
Object ID
2013.150.1021
Credit
From the Collections of The Henry Ford.
Location
By Request in the Benson Ford Research Center
Get more details in Digital Collections at:
Artist Point Gift Shop, Mountainburg, Arkansas, 1994
What is The Henry Ford?
The national attraction for discovering your ingenuity while exploring America’s spirit of innovation. There is always much to see and do at The Henry Ford.
Atomic Bar Sign, El Paso, Texas 1979
Artifact
Slide (Photograph)
Summary
In the mid-1970s, John Margolies began to assemble a visual record of America's built roadside landscape. Over the following 3 decades he traveled thousands of miles to photograph the overlooked and often quickly vanishing structures that had grown out of American automobile culture and main street commerce. His photographs of hotels, motels, diners, service stations, drive-ins and attractions celebrate and capture a unique chapter of American history.
Creators
Keywords
Object ID
2013.150.528
Credit
From the Collections of The Henry Ford.
Location
By Request in the Benson Ford Research Center
Get more details in Digital Collections at:
Atomic Bar Sign, El Paso, Texas 1979
What is The Henry Ford?
The national attraction for discovering your ingenuity while exploring America’s spirit of innovation. There is always much to see and do at The Henry Ford.
Ax Handle Monument, Norway, Michigan, 1988
Artifact
Slide (Photograph)
Summary
In the mid-1970s, John Margolies began to assemble a visual record of America's built roadside landscape. Over the following 3 decades he traveled thousands of miles to photograph the overlooked and often quickly vanishing structures that had grown out of American automobile culture and main street commerce. His photographs of hotels, motels, diners, service stations, drive-ins and attractions celebrate and capture a unique chapter of American history.
Creators
Object ID
2013.150.1134
Credit
From the Collections of The Henry Ford.
Location
By Request in the Benson Ford Research Center
Get more details in Digital Collections at:
Ax Handle Monument, Norway, Michigan, 1988
What is The Henry Ford?
The national attraction for discovering your ingenuity while exploring America’s spirit of innovation. There is always much to see and do at The Henry Ford.
