San Luis Obispo in San Luis Obispo County, California — The American West (Pacific Coastal)

Motel Inn

Photographed By Syd Whittle, November 27, 2010

1. Motel Inn Marker

Marker is mounted at what was the entrance to the building. The area is now fenced off and may only be viewed from beyond the fence.

Inscription. This is the site of the worlds original and first motel. Construction started in 1925 at a cost of $80,000. The word “motel” was first thought of here by Architect Arthur Heineman.

Erected 1988 by Native Sons of the Golden West, Franklin Compani, Grand President and San Luis Obispo Parlor No. 290.

Topics and series. This historical marker is listed in this topic list: Industry & Commerce. In addition, it is included in the Native Sons/Daughters of the Golden West series list. A significant historical year for this entry is 1925.

Location. 35° 17.475′ N, 120° 38.892′ W. Marker is in San Luis Obispo, California, in San Luis Obispo County. Marker can be reached from Monterey Street. Marker is located at the eastern end of Monterey Street just west of Highway 101. Touch for map. Marker is at or near this postal address: 2223 Monterey Street, San Luis Obispo CA 93401, United States of America. Touch for directions.

Other nearby markers. At least 8 other markers are within one mile of this marker, measured as the crow flies. M60A3 (TTS) Main Battle Tank (approx. 0.3 miles away); San Luis Obispo Creek (approx. 0.8 miles away); Dallidet Adobe (approx. 0.9 miles away); The Ramona Hotel Depot (approx. 0.9 miles away); Site of First County Court House (approx. one mile away); General John C. Fremont

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(approx. one mile away); J. P. Andrews Building (approx. one mile away); San Luis Obispo Sesquicentennial (approx. one mile away). Touch for a list and map of all markers in San Luis Obispo.

Also see . . .
1. A Tribute to the Motel Inn. A history of the motel with photos of the original buildings. (Submitted on November 27, 2010.)

2. First Motel in the World in San Luis Obispo, California. The first motel in the world is located in San Luis Obispo, California. In the era of the car travel, vacationers can now drive to their destination and spend the night in something that offers a bit of comfort and convenience. Welcome to the 20th century and its concepts of driving in a car on your vacation. There were no SUV nor RV's yet. Folks either had to find traditional hotels, or camp out. (Submitted on November 27, 2010.)

Motel Inn Ruins and Marker image. Click for full size.

Photographed By Syd Whittle, November 27, 2010

2. Motel Inn Ruins and Marker

The Other Remaining Building image. Click for full size.

Photographed By Syd Whittle, November 27, 2010

3. The Other Remaining Building

<i>Motel Inn, San Luis Obispo, California</i> image. Click for full size.

Postcard by Associate Service, circa 1940

4. Motel Inn, San Luis Obispo, California

Hoteldom in Bungalows. Free Garages. North City Limit on U.S. 101. Fine Food and Cocktails.

ARR/TCMG lineup in front of what remains of the Motel Inn image. Click for full size.

Photographed By Barry Swackhamer, October 9, 2016

5. ARR/TCMG lineup in front of what remains of the Motel Inn

For sixty years two MG-TC clubs, the Abingdon Roughriders (ARR) from the San Francisco Bay Area and the TC Motoring Guild (TCMG), from Southern California, have been meeting approximately half way in between for their annual conclave. In 1957 the first conclave was held at the Motel Inn.

Credits. This page was last revised on November 23, 2016. It was originally submitted on November 27, 2010, by Syd Whittle of Mesa, Arizona. This page has been viewed 790 times since then and 26 times this year. Photos: 1, 2, 3. submitted on November 27, 2010, by Syd Whittle of Mesa, Arizona. 4. submitted on January 5, 2015. 5. submitted on November 23, 2016, by Barry Swackhamer of Brentwood, California.