Holiday Inn, Memphis, Tennessee, 1958
THF120734 / Holiday Inn, Memphis, Tennessee, 1958
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Artifact Overview
After World War II, roadside lodging options were mostly limited to independently owned motels with varying standards and rates. Entrepreneur Kemmons Wilson opened the first Holiday Inns in Memphis starting in 1952. His motels offered consistent, quality service and amenities at family-friendly prices. Within a few years, Wilson's Holiday Inns had revolutionized industry standards and become the nation's largest lodging chain.
Artifact Details
Artifact
Postcard
Date Made
1958
Place of Creation
Collection Title
Location
By Request in the Benson Ford Research Center
Object ID
86.9.29.1
Credit
From the Collections of The Henry Ford.
Material
Paper (Fiber product)
Color
Multicolored
Dimensions
Height: 3.5 in
Width: 5.5 in
Inscriptions
On verso: Holiday Inn WEST / MEMPHIS, TENNESSEE / U.S. 61 - 980 South Third / Air-Conditioned - Swimming Pool - restaurant / In the City's Business District
POSTCARD
[Holiday Inn logo] / Your Host from Coast-to-Coast
CURTEICHCOLOR 3-D NATURAL COLOR REPRODUCTION
Keywords |
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Related Content
SetHoliday Inns: Revolutionizing an Industry
- 18 Artifacts
On a family road trip in 1951, building developer Kemmons Wilson spent nights in motel rooms that he found to be overpriced and uncomfortable. When the entrepreneur returned home to Memphis, Tennessee, he decided to build his own motel that offered consistent, quality service and amenities at family-friendly prices. Within a few years, Wilson’s Holiday Inns had revolutionized industry standards and become the nation’s largest lodging chain.