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All the United States California San Luis Obispo Motel Inn
AO Edited

Motel Inn

The world's first motel is now an administrative building for an apple farm.

San Luis Obispo, California

Added By
TJ Muehleman
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Motel Inn   tjmuehleman / Atlas Obscura User
circa 2020   Avoiding Regret
weathervane   Avoiding Regret
Motel Inn   tjmuehleman / Atlas Obscura User
Motel Inn   tjmuehleman / Atlas Obscura User
Motel Inn   tjmuehleman / Atlas Obscura User
  Mark Loftin / Atlas Obscura User
Where Monterey Street ends at the 101 North Entrance   ccesare / Atlas Obscura User
On 101 overpass, August 2021   ccesare / Atlas Obscura User
On 101 overpass, August 2021   ccesare / Atlas Obscura User
August 2021   ccesare / Atlas Obscura User
August 2021   ccesare / Atlas Obscura User
Motel Inn   tjmuehleman / Atlas Obscura User
  MtnLady / Atlas Obscura User
August 2021   ccesare / Atlas Obscura User
  MtnLady / Atlas Obscura User
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About

Motels became staples across the country during the mid-20th-century. However, only one holds the distinction as "the world's first motel," and is found in the unlikely town of San Luis Obispo along the central California coast.

Long road trips became more of a reality as automobiles became more readily available. In 1925 two brothers, Arthur and Alfred Heineman designed the Milestone Mo-Tel, a concept where travelers could rent out a room by night while on long road trips. Prior to this creation, these types of trips required pitching a tent alongside the road for a night or two.

This location was chosen by the brothers because it was roughly halfway between Los Angles and San Francisco. The motel stayed in operation until 1991. It can still be found near the intersection of HWY 101 and Monterey Street.

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Motels History & Culture Architecture Cars

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Located on the onramp to HWY 101, there is minimal parking available. If coming from downtown, it'll be right before you get onto the highway.

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Added By

tjmuehleman

Edited By

ccesare, Avoiding Regret, Mark Loftin, MtnLady

  • ccesare
  • Avoiding Regret
  • Mark Loftin
  • MtnLady

Published

June 1, 2021

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Sources
  • https://en.wikipedia.org/wiki/Motel_Inn
Motel Inn
2223 Monterey St
San Luis Obispo, California, 93401
United States
35.29125, -120.648152
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