Review: It’s a Mod Mod Mystery! (or two!)
We’re behind on our book reviews and yet we’ve read some fabulous ones lately! If you’re a cozy mystery fan and love to dream of fabulous mid-century decor and fashion, Diane’s books are for you! I already reviewed her first book in this series “Pillow Stalk” but haven’t had a chance to tell you about […]
Googie and neon sign preservation and museums
One of our favorite mid-century things are Googie signs. There are plenty of photos out there, but one thing is certain and it’s that they’re a dying breed and ripe for preservation efforts. In case you’re not familiar with the term, “Googie” architecture, approximately from 1950-1970, is a futuristic or ultramodern derivative of art moderne […]
The Historic Boots Motel, Carthage, MO
If you’ve been a regular reader, you probably remember our articles in 2011 about saving The Boots Motel in Carthage Missouri. Save the Boots Motel In 2011 the bank put the property on the market, and it was snapped up by the current owners, sisters, Debye Harvey and Priscilla Bledsaw. Fans of old Route 66, […]
Newton Iowa, a midcentury historic downtown
The Newton Downtown Historic District has been entered in to the National Register of Historic Places, effective September 22, 2014. In 2009, the Newton Historic preservation committee looked within the proposed district of 87 properties. Fred Chabot, chairman of the historic preservation committee, said they began by researching the history of those buildings for the required […]
Phoenicia Lodge is retro fun in the Catskills
Phoenicia Lodge has been on our Mid-Century Motel directory for a long time – so when we planned a trip through upstate New York, we knew we had to stop and meet up with Brian and Sara who have lovingly restored and cultivated a fabulous Lodge in the gorgeous Catskills! The town of Phoenicia is […]
The fabulous retro resorts of Wildwood New Jersey!
Our summer trip began with a place so fun and unique that my 12 year old son now counts it as his favorite place ever. Beaches, amusement parks, restaurants, activities and some of the most fantastic Mid-Century Resort Architecture and Googie signs anywhere! Where do you find all of this? New Jersey! The Wildwoods began […]
Usonian Inn, Wisconsin, for Sale
We love to spot great preservation efforts, and in this case, The Usonian Inn LLC, originally named the Rest Haven Motel, is already on the National Register of Historic places, however, what a deal: Location: E5116 Hwy 14, Spring Green, WI 53588 $655,900 Turn key operation, excellent investment. Spring Green’s first original Taliesin inspired Inn. Designed […]
Retro Roadtrip: The Blue Swallow, Tucumcari, NM
We have had the Blue Swallow Motel in Tucumcari, NM in our Motel Directory for a long time.It’s as much of an icon along Route 66 as the WigWam Motels. Owner Lillian Redman, a legend along Route 66 ran the motel from 1958 to 1997. By a stroke of luck, owners over the years after […]
Koop Kooper, the swank meister of the airwaves
A week ago, I had the opportunity to be interviewed by Koop Kooper of Cocktail Nation, if you haven’t checked out his podcast and radio show, I suggest you hop right over and check it out, there’s a list of stations his show is available on and you can listen to back episodes on his […]
Retro Roadtrip: The Historic Route 66 Motel, Tucumcari, NM
The Historic Route 66 motel was built in the International Style that was enormously popular in the mid 20th Century. In typical Palm Springs fashion, each room except the suites feature curtain wall, floor to ceiling windows. You can just see Don and Megan Draper pull up out front for a 60’s weekend away! The […]