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- Holiday Inn of Angola, Indiana, 1974 - Holiday Inns achieved success in the 1950s by providing consistent, quality service and amenities at reasonable prices. In-room televisions and outdoor pools were standard at early Holiday Inns, but many locations upgraded their offerings to meet changing demands. In 1974, this Indiana location touted color TVs, an indoor pool, and a whirlpool and sauna.
- May 20, 1974
- Collections - Artifact
Holiday Inn of Angola, Indiana, 1974
Holiday Inns achieved success in the 1950s by providing consistent, quality service and amenities at reasonable prices. In-room televisions and outdoor pools were standard at early Holiday Inns, but many locations upgraded their offerings to meet changing demands. In 1974, this Indiana location touted color TVs, an indoor pool, and a whirlpool and sauna.
- Holiday Inn Holidome Indoor Fun Center, Grayling, Michigan, 1987 - In the 1970s, Holiday Inns developed the Holidome concept to bring in new business. Holidome inns featured a large indoor public area with a swimming pool, restaurant, and other attractions. The design was ideal for year-round family getaways as well as conferences and group gatherings. This northern Michigan Holidome featured a mill designed to depict "the nostalgic days of the logging era."
- 1987
- Collections - Artifact
Holiday Inn Holidome Indoor Fun Center, Grayling, Michigan, 1987
In the 1970s, Holiday Inns developed the Holidome concept to bring in new business. Holidome inns featured a large indoor public area with a swimming pool, restaurant, and other attractions. The design was ideal for year-round family getaways as well as conferences and group gatherings. This northern Michigan Holidome featured a mill designed to depict "the nostalgic days of the logging era."
- Holiday Inn of Paducah, Kentucky, 1966 - Along with the usual amenities, convenient locations helped Holiday Inns attract business. Thanks to its large "Great Sign," the Holiday Inn on this postcard would have been tough to miss, even for travelers speeding along adjacent highways. The motel's centrality "in the heart of the friendly city" is touted on the reverse.
- 1966
- Collections - Artifact
Holiday Inn of Paducah, Kentucky, 1966
Along with the usual amenities, convenient locations helped Holiday Inns attract business. Thanks to its large "Great Sign," the Holiday Inn on this postcard would have been tough to miss, even for travelers speeding along adjacent highways. The motel's centrality "in the heart of the friendly city" is touted on the reverse.
- Holiday Inn, Cordele, Georgia, circa 1988 - Consistent, quality service and amenities made the first Holiday Inns successful in the 1950s. Though the company evolved in the decades that followed, it retained many founding features. In the 1980s, this Holiday Inn sported a modernized corporate logo, but still offered the convenient location, free parking, and outdoor pool that were standard at the chain's first motels.
- circa 1988
- Collections - Artifact
Holiday Inn, Cordele, Georgia, circa 1988
Consistent, quality service and amenities made the first Holiday Inns successful in the 1950s. Though the company evolved in the decades that followed, it retained many founding features. In the 1980s, this Holiday Inn sported a modernized corporate logo, but still offered the convenient location, free parking, and outdoor pool that were standard at the chain's first motels.
- Holiday Inn "Great" Sign, circa 1960 - When the first Holiday Inns opened in 1952, guests at roadside hotels were mostly traveling families who couldn't always plan their stops ahead of time. This sign -- taller and flashier than some but not radically different from other blinking neon highway signs -- was designed to be spotted from the new interstates. As Holiday Inns multiplied, the sign became a message: "Turn here for a predictable, quality experience."
- circa 1960
- Collections - Artifact
Holiday Inn "Great" Sign, circa 1960
When the first Holiday Inns opened in 1952, guests at roadside hotels were mostly traveling families who couldn't always plan their stops ahead of time. This sign -- taller and flashier than some but not radically different from other blinking neon highway signs -- was designed to be spotted from the new interstates. As Holiday Inns multiplied, the sign became a message: "Turn here for a predictable, quality experience."
- Holiday Inn Bar Soap, 1960-1980 - Many travelers appreciated knowing exactly what to expect at the end of a long day on the road. Travelers could be assured to find standardized products in rooms from the same motel chain. This bar of soap was collected from a Holiday Inn during the mid- to late-twentieth century.
- 1960-1980
- Collections - Artifact
Holiday Inn Bar Soap, 1960-1980
Many travelers appreciated knowing exactly what to expect at the end of a long day on the road. Travelers could be assured to find standardized products in rooms from the same motel chain. This bar of soap was collected from a Holiday Inn during the mid- to late-twentieth century.
- Holiday Inn Bath Mat, 1950-1970 - A standardized guest experience was key to Holiday Inns' corporate success. Each location offered most of the same services and amenities, and details like branded toiletries and towels became fixtures of a Holiday Inn stay. Some people snuck these "souvenirs" home as tangible reminders of their trip.
- 1950-1970
- Collections - Artifact
Holiday Inn Bath Mat, 1950-1970
A standardized guest experience was key to Holiday Inns' corporate success. Each location offered most of the same services and amenities, and details like branded toiletries and towels became fixtures of a Holiday Inn stay. Some people snuck these "souvenirs" home as tangible reminders of their trip.
- Holiday Inn Hotel with a "Great Sign," 1980-1985 - A Holiday Inn's "Great Sign" could be seen from a distance, enticing travelers along nearby roadways. Managers could attract local groups and charm customers with customized marquee messages. This iconic design pointed the way to Holiday Inns worldwide from the 1950s until the 1980s, when the company phased in an updated logo.
- 1980-1985
- Collections - Artifact
Holiday Inn Hotel with a "Great Sign," 1980-1985
A Holiday Inn's "Great Sign" could be seen from a distance, enticing travelers along nearby roadways. Managers could attract local groups and charm customers with customized marquee messages. This iconic design pointed the way to Holiday Inns worldwide from the 1950s until the 1980s, when the company phased in an updated logo.
- "TIME" Magazine, Cover Featuring Holiday Inn's Innkeeper Kemmons Wilson, June 12, 1972 - Kemmons Wilson founded the Holiday Inn franchise in 1952. The chain became so successful that in 1972 Wilson made the cover of <em>Time</em> magazine. Travelers relied on the standard amenities and family-friendly rates that could be found at any Holiday Inn across the country.
- June 12, 1972
- Collections - Artifact
"TIME" Magazine, Cover Featuring Holiday Inn's Innkeeper Kemmons Wilson, June 12, 1972
Kemmons Wilson founded the Holiday Inn franchise in 1952. The chain became so successful that in 1972 Wilson made the cover of Time magazine. Travelers relied on the standard amenities and family-friendly rates that could be found at any Holiday Inn across the country.
- Holiday Inn of Jasper, Indiana, circa 1970 - As the interstate highway system expanded in the late 1950s, Holiday Inn changed its original layout to a new "roadside" design: two buildings organized around a recreational courtyard with a pool and other facilities. For convenience, one building housed the lobby, restaurant, and meeting rooms. Before long, the modern roadside Holiday Inn became an iconic feature of the American landscape.
- circa 1970
- Collections - Artifact
Holiday Inn of Jasper, Indiana, circa 1970
As the interstate highway system expanded in the late 1950s, Holiday Inn changed its original layout to a new "roadside" design: two buildings organized around a recreational courtyard with a pool and other facilities. For convenience, one building housed the lobby, restaurant, and meeting rooms. Before long, the modern roadside Holiday Inn became an iconic feature of the American landscape.