Old Orchard Motel Bar Soap, 1928-1953

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Artifact Overview

During the 1930s, primitive tourist cabins and cottage courts evolved into integrated lodging units called motels. Most of these were small-scale and independently owned. Bars of soap imprinted with the motel's name provided a homey touch and souvenir of a motel stay. The Old Orchard Motel, built in 1949, had 21 units.

Artifact Details

Artifact

Bar soap

Date Made

1928-1953

Location

Not on exhibit to the public.

Object ID

2011.85.3

Credit

From the Collections of The Henry Ford.

Material

Soap (Organic material)
Paper (Fiber product)

Technique

Printing (Process)

Color

Ivory (Color)
Gray (Color)
Navy blue

Dimensions

Height: 1.375 in
Width: 2.125 in
Length: 0.25 in

Inscriptions

Printed front: OLD ORCHARD MOTEL / FREMONT, OHIO / ROUTE 20 ONE MILE WEST OF CITY Printed back: COLGATE'S FLOATING SOAP / "COLGATE'S" REG. US. PAT. OFF. / COLGATE-PALMOLIVE-PEET CO. / JERSEY CITY, N.J. MADE IN U.S.A.
Old Orchard Motel Bar Soap, 1928-1953