Survivors from an age when cars were loaded with chrome and the roadside gleamed with neon signs continue to dot Green Bay's landscape.
Independent motels — some dating back nearly 60 years — continue to function much the same way they have since the 1950s and 1960s. Minus the vintage automobiles, Green Bay's remaining motels mostly retain their original appearance, and are nearly identical to the classic postcards from yesteryear.
By skimming through 1950s city directories, many of Green Bay motels not only are still around, but have also kept their original names. The Packer City Motel, Sky-lit Motel, Bay Motel and Tower Motel all date back to 1952-1962, and continue to operate well into the 21st century.
After the highway system began to develop in the United States in the first quarter of the 20th century, driving long distances became more common. Unlike many hotels that were generally located in the city center, the motel offered inexpensive lodging near main routes. The Wisconsin Historical Society notes that motels increased in popularity from a business perspective as well, as they were easier to construct and maintain. They note that "motels used exterior ornamentation and gimmicks to attract guests, and were remodeled to appear modern." This is evident in Green Bay's motels simply by reading the back of a postcard from the era. Flashy signs, catchy names and novelties were employed throughout with each new establishment.Capitalizing on the team that put the city on the map, perhaps the oldest surviving motel in town is the Packer City Motel at 1957 Main Street. Dating to about 1952, it technically was outside of the city limits when first constructed, as the town of Preble and Green Bay had not yet been consolidated. An early postcard refers to its location as: "South East of Green Bay, On Highway 29 and 141," and boasts it was "Northeast Wisconsin's Largest Ultra Modern Motel" with "42 De Luxe Rooms." Mr. and Mrs. Leo P. Braspenick were listed as early — if not the original — proprietors. A bird's-eye view of the establishment gives the impression it existed in a remote location, with nothing but open fields visible in the horizon. Fifty-nine years later, the large green neon sign signaling vacancies and offering food has been replaced, and the white picket fence is now gone. Otherwise, the red brick buildings appear untouched from the outside.
Independent motels — some dating back nearly 60 years — continue to function much the same way they have since the 1950s and 1960s. Minus the vintage automobiles, Green Bay's remaining motels mostly retain their original appearance, and are nearly identical to the classic postcards from yesteryear.
By skimming through 1950s city directories, many of Green Bay motels not only are still around, but have also kept their original names. The Packer City Motel, Sky-lit Motel, Bay Motel and Tower Motel all date back to 1952-1962, and continue to operate well into the 21st century.
After the highway system began to develop in the United States in the first quarter of the 20th century, driving long distances became more common. Unlike many hotels that were generally located in the city center, the motel offered inexpensive lodging near main routes. The Wisconsin Historical Society notes that motels increased in popularity from a business perspective as well, as they were easier to construct and maintain. They note that "motels used exterior ornamentation and gimmicks to attract guests, and were remodeled to appear modern." This is evident in Green Bay's motels simply by reading the back of a postcard from the era. Flashy signs, catchy names and novelties were employed throughout with each new establishment.Capitalizing on the team that put the city on the map, perhaps the oldest surviving motel in town is the Packer City Motel at 1957 Main Street. Dating to about 1952, it technically was outside of the city limits when first constructed, as the town of Preble and Green Bay had not yet been consolidated. An early postcard refers to its location as: "South East of Green Bay, On Highway 29 and 141," and boasts it was "Northeast Wisconsin's Largest Ultra Modern Motel" with "42 De Luxe Rooms." Mr. and Mrs. Leo P. Braspenick were listed as early — if not the original — proprietors. A bird's-eye view of the establishment gives the impression it existed in a remote location, with nothing but open fields visible in the horizon. Fifty-nine years later, the large green neon sign signaling vacancies and offering food has been replaced, and the white picket fence is now gone. Otherwise, the red brick buildings appear untouched from the outside.
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