Motels in Technicolour

The other month I discovered the Boston Public Library's amazing collection of over 25,000 linen postcards of the United States from the 1930s and 40s. Of course I dove right in, sharing a postcard each from the 48 states represented. Though the majority of those were scenic view cards, the view cards are only a portion of the postcards in the collection. A very large number are postcards that double as advertisements, for businesses, restaurants, and motels. Especially motels. The motel cards go on and on.

I think these kinds of superficially boring cards (or photos) can be amazing. They all look the same, and they all look different. Their sheer quantity and repetitiveness bear testament to their roles as objects of popular culture. These cards especially are so earnest, their bright colours cheerful and optimistic. This was the age of motels, the period when highways were flourishing and Americans were just discovering the fun of the road trip. The postcards promote the appeal of this new pastime with a touching sincerity.

Boston Public Library

Coquille, Oregon. Source

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Seneca Falls, New York. Source

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Newman, Illinois. Source

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Oklahoma City, Oklahoma. Source

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Baker, California. Source

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Shreveport, Louisiana. Source

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Woodland Park Motel [Seattle? I know they have a Woodland Park Zoo], Washington. Source

Boston Public Library

Winslow, Arizona. Source

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Somewhere in Washington. Source

Boston Public Library

This one has a floating clump of land above it! South Carolina. Source

Boston Public Library

Wickenburg, Arizona. Source

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Texarkana, Arkansas. Source

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Fort Payne, Alabama. Source

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Merrimac, Wisconsin. Source

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Price, Utah. Source

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Hopkinsville, Kentucky. Source

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Barrabo, Wisconsin. Source

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Alabama. Source

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Albuquerque, New Mexico. Source

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Berlin, Connecticut. Source

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Albuquerque, New Mexico. Source

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Mexico, Missouri. Source

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Cool Art Deco one in Los Angeles, California. Source

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Elk City, Oklahoma. Source

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Newport, Arkansas. Source