Williams in Coconino County, Arizona — The American Mountains (Southwest)
DelSue Motor Inn
Photographed By Duane and Tracy Marsteller, October 13, 2023
1. DelSue Motor Inn Marker
placed on the
National
Register of
Historic Places
by the United States
Department of the Interior
Topics and series. This historical marker is listed in these topic lists: Architecture • Industry & Commerce. In addition, it is included in the National Register of Historic Places, and the U.S. Route 66 series lists. A significant historical year for this entry is 1936.
Location. 35° 15.081′ N, 112° 11.126′ W. Marker is in Williams, Arizona, in Coconino County. Marker is on East Bill Williams Avenue (U.S. 66) east of South Taber Street, on the right when traveling east. Marker is on the office at the northwest corner of the complex. Touch for map. Marker is at or near this postal address: 234 E Bill Williams Ave, Williams AZ 86046, United States of America. Touch for directions.
Other nearby markers. At least 8 other markers are within walking distance of this marker. Adam's Grocery (about 700 feet away, measured in a direct line); Black and White Cleaners (about 800 feet away); Crowe-McCoy Building (approx. 0.2 miles away); Old Post Office (approx. 0.2 miles away); Tetzlaff Building (approx. 0.2 miles away); Williams, Arizona (approx. 0.2 miles away); Grand Canyon Hotel (approx. 0.2 miles away); Route 66 (approx. 0.2 miles away). Touch for a list and map of all markers in Williams.
Regarding DelSue Motor Inn.
this page online
The DelSue Motel is significant … for its association with roadside commerce along U.S. Route 66. It is a good local example of the auto court type of hotel/motel/inn which provided travelers with a place to stay overnight. Its construction reflects the growing importance of automobile traffic, which replaced the railroad as the primary means of transportation in the 1920s and 1930s. …
In 1936, Mr. H.J. Delaney built a combination full service Standard Gas Station and tourist court, in the Spanish Colonial Style. He named his new business the DelSue after the first three letters of his last name and his wife's first name. There were already two hotels and several cabin camps in the town of Williams. Prior to 1936, Hull's Motel, Thurston's Cottages, and Loma Vista Court were built and doing a booming business in through traffic heading west. … By 1945, the motel was surrounded by other motels, gas stations, and cafes. Williams extended another mile further and had a population of 2,622. The motel was sold after Delaney died and as a condition of the sale, to Mr. Mosier, the name was changed to Grand Motel. This change of ownership led to a period of alterations to the property. The motel was relatively upscale and its visitors included radio personality Walter Winchell and television actor Telly Savalas.
Photographed By Duane and Tracy Marsteller, October 13, 2023
2. DelSue Motor Inn Marker
Also see . . . DelSue Motor Inn. National Register nomination (PDF) and photographs (separate PDF) submitted for the property, which was listed in 1998. (Prepared by Kristine M. Malanowski, Coconino Motel Co.; via National Park Service) (Submitted on November 18, 2023, by Duane and Tracy Marsteller of Murfreesboro, Tennessee.)
Photographed By Duane and Tracy Marsteller, October 13, 2023
3. Former DelSue Motor Inn
Douglas R. Smith Co.; via James R. Powell Route 66 Postcard Collection, Newberry Library (Public Domain), 1950
4. DelSue Motor Inn Postcard
The motel advertised its tiled baths and showers, hot water, wall to wall carpeting and new furniture among its amenities. The service station in the motel courtyard no longer exists.
Credits. This page was last revised on November 18, 2023. It was originally submitted on November 18, 2023, by Duane and Tracy Marsteller of Murfreesboro, Tennessee. This page has been viewed 37 times since then and 12 times this year. Photos: 1, 2, 3, 4. submitted on November 18, 2023, by Duane and Tracy Marsteller of Murfreesboro, Tennessee.
