Well, it is the dog days of summer. California is the birthplace of so many things, and motels just happen to be on the list. It was Pasadena architect named Arthur Heineman who coined the name motel–a combination to motor and hotel. In the fall of 1925, he built the first motel in San Luis Obispo,
After World War II, the kitchsy roadside motels were quite the rage. Janesville resident, Clyde Knox, was on all board as the wig wam theme that proved popular elsewhere.. While Knox never completed them, they are an architectural gem for that town.
Tim
When we moved to Susanville in 1939, we stayed at Walkers Auto Court. Later we bought a house on Spring St. Behind Royal Grocery. Something before that but memory fails me.