Sea Breeze Motel Key, 1955-1970

01

Artifact Overview

Weary mid-20th century travelers received keys to their rooms after they checked in. These keys, usually with an overly large fob, could be dropped in a mailbox and returned if accidently carried off. Today, many motels use electronic key cards to let customers access their rooms.

Artifact Details

Artifact

Key fob

Date Made

1955-1970

Creator Notes

Key made by Lockwood Hardware Manufacturing Co. in Fitchburg, Massachusetts; fob made for Sea Breeze Motel, Pacifica, California.

Location

Not on exhibit to the public.

Object ID

2011.81.2

Credit

From the Collections of The Henry Ford.

Material

Plastic
Metal

Color

Reddish brown
Cream (Color)

Dimensions

Width: 2.125 in (fob)
Length: 6.75 in (total length, including key)

Inscriptions

On fob front: SEA / BREEZE / MOTEL / ROCKAWAY BEACH / PACIFICA, CAL. / 17 / DROP IN ANY MAIL BOX / WE GUARANTEE POSTAGE Fob verso: VISIT OUR / COCKTAIL / LOUNGE / AND / RESTAURANT / "NICKS" Stamped into key: LOCKWOOD / LOCKWOOD HDWE. MFG. CO. FITCHBURG. MASS. U.S.A.