Here I was, minding my own business, driving down the road today on my way to an art fair, when I spied this motel.
I let out a little gasp and did a U-Turn and parked in the driveway.
The Joe.
The Joe Motel.
Wow.
The Joe Motel on Phillips Hwy is not open any longer, but it is in surprisingly good condition. The brick is still brilliant red, the windows are unbroken and it seems like someone is keeping the lawn mowed.
I didn't get the sign and the motel in the same shot. I'm going to have to go back now. I didn't realize that I had missed that shot.
I love a good mailbox.
This is the upper window of the front building. I'm assuming it's part of the former managers house.
This door and screen is what makes me think that no one really does live in this run down motel. The door looks like it's cracked clear through and wouldn't protect a soul. Yet, it hasn't been broken into. I find it odd that this place has not been vandalized, yet very thankful.
Whenever I see old buildings like this I start trying to see them as a new business. What could use this space? How could it be used so that it could be revitalized? Would it be another Motel? Could it be studio space for artists? An antique mall with a lot of bathrooms?
It just seems like something could be done with this building.
What would you do with an old motel?
I've wanted to link up to Unknown Mami's Sundays In My City for eons now. Since I just posted this about The Joe Motel and it was indeed in my city and I was totally fascinated, I think it qualifies as being a part of the carnival. If you'd like to see more snapshots of cities, please visit Sunday's In My City.
38 comments:
Great photos! I have big ideas when I see a place like this. We have row houses here in my town that I think would make a cool art center. You could have a different type of art in every room! You could have a pottery studio in one room, and watercolor room in another...something like that...that's what I would do!
Gosh, I do that too - try to envision new life in an old building. The Joe Motel is charming! It might make a great antique mall.
Wow that's really cool. I'm glad you shared. Happy Sunday!
~Stumbled over from Unknown Mami's.
Morning, thank you for posting great shots, so many possibilities: Why did it shut in the first place though?
Then I thought of music, performing art school!
Have a great Sunday. xxx
Great post. I wonder what the history of the motel is?
LOVE these photos! When I saw it I thought it would make a great place for people who are loseing their homes right now because of the economy. You could fill it with families and individuals who just need a rook over their heads. I love the name of it..The Joe Motel
Have a great week!
I love these photos and old nostalgic stuff. Joe Vanderbos (eric's brother) paints and sells these kinds of buildings. I'm going to send him this link. Even if he doesn't use it as inspiration, I think he'll like your post and pics.
Don't you wonder who would name a motel, the JOE Motel? Well probably some guy named JOE, but I guess I am looking for a little more imagination! Looks cool and a little spooky. I like the idea of an arts center!
Hi Kristin:
I'm glad Lori pointed this out! I love photos. You really have an eye and make great compositions.
You have taken brilliant pictures of an old building. The art in old, worn out, beat down things has always fascinated me.
Thanks for sharing :)
wow I love The Joe motel, it does still look lovely , the little canopies make it still very inviting. Thanks xx
I love the capture of the window. It makes me wonder what one might have seen looking in as well as looking out.
These pictures sure do make your imagination start spinning.
What an amazing eye for seeing things others just drive by! It is a wonderful quality. Thank you for the post. Old buildings, now unoccupied, hold such a mistery about what their lives might have been...Thank you for stoping by my blog. I love your comment.
I love this. I love the story I get the moment I see it. Would love to know it's history. I wonder who lived there in that building. I am sure the walls could tell some unbelievable stories.
Hi, Wonder whats it's like at nights.
But looks interesting as what you mentioned.
Best regards, Lee.
Those are awesome pictures! What a great find. I am the same way when I see old buildings, or we drive through little run-down towns I start thinking about what I could do with it. If I had my way, I'd probably renovate every old building in America, lol.
I love an old building with history. What's the history on this one I wonder?
Thanks for turning around and grabbing those pics. I wonder about it's history more.
It's crying for a makeover--maybe you should buy it!
I hope they don't tear it down. It's lovely. I'm sure it could be used for all kinds of things.
Buy it!
That is so interesting. What an eye you have! And what a name for a motel, I would love to learn it's history.
Those are awesome pictures!! Have a wonderful week!
Toni @ Hemp & High Heels
How about a coffee mart -- The "JOE" as in cuppa joe? Fun photos.
Great shots. I like to pretend that I could open it again and it would be successful. I also wonder what went wrong?
I love the photos. Kinda like a ghost town feeling when you see something like that. Makes you wonder what went on behind those walls.
What a wonderful building. I know exactly what I would do with it. I would turn it into a home for pregnant homeless woman. This place would be perfect!
LOVE that motel!
I also try to imagine both: what it was like in its prime...and what it could be today! I immeditatley thought of a Mary Kay Andrews book and wanted to go junking to redo and rent some rooms!
That's a great building, you got some really great shots of it!
those are some great photos. they tell a story. it feels like i could have been there visiting
http://affamilycabral.blogspot.com/
I am late reading blogs, sorry!
This is a great place, has a lot of character and I am sure it had a lot of business back in its day!
I just discovered this Meme. Glad I stopped here first. JOE could stand for something - Just Open Evenings, Jewel of Eternity, - and could be used as an artist's village or entrepreneurial start-up, keeping JOE as the initials. Joint of Entrepreneurs, Jewlery/Oddities/Eclectica...
If you drive by at night there are lights on in front of some of the units. So someone must be paying an electric bill for the property. I was looking for information on the history of this place online and couldn't find much. Glad I'm not the only one who notices these things!
Hi - THe Joe Motel is still owned by the Chinese family that somehow runs Chopstick Charley's next door.
Prior to the 1965/66 time frame The JOE was the 300 Motel. You could get a big bowl of great wanton soup at Chop Stick Charlie's for $.80. Occasionally kids from Wolfson would rent rooms over football weekends and drink beer there. I did it many times. Orientals ran both places. The JOE was clean and cheap as I remember it. I still get thirsty when I drive by.
FC
I made the same U-turn back in 2009 to get a shot of this roadside gem. Thanks for sharing the excellent shots you captured.
I feel the same way, bring it up to code, new just about everything but the brick & have standards, rules & limits with a responsible rate & responsible security
As of Friday, Oct 11, 2019. The Joe Motel was being demolished. It has been there as long as I can remember and just like that.....it's gone.
The Joe Motel is now gone. Very sad!
Unfortunately, it is torn down.....so sad!
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