100 years ago, a new American industry was born. Today marks the 100th anniversary of the very first motel, the Milestone in San Luis Obispo, California.
It opened on December 12, 1925 and closed in 1991.
The Milestone Mo-Tel, later called the Motel Inn, was designed and built by Pasadena architect Arthur S. Heineman for $80,000. It was the first of its kind - it cost only $1.25 a night for a traveler to park their car right next to their room.
In the 60s, it offered modern units, a heated pool, a garden patio and banquet rooms. A 1962 postcard boasts that they were famous for their Western BBQ steaks. Heineman is famously credited with coming up with the word motel, as motor hotel was too lengthy to put on the sign.
Most of the structure was bulldozed in 2006 but the original tower has been left standing.
