Vulcan Motor Lodge: Difference between revisions
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[[Image:Vulcan Motor Lodge postcard.jpg|right|thumb|250px|Vulcan Motor Lodge postcard]] | [[Image:Vulcan Motor Lodge postcard.jpg|right|thumb|250px|Vulcan Motor Lodge postcard]] | ||
[[Image:St Francis Hotel Courts postcard.jpg|right|thumb|250px|St Francis Hotel Courts postcard]] | [[Image:St Francis Hotel Courts postcard.jpg|right|thumb|250px|St Francis Hotel Courts postcard]] | ||
The '''Vulcan Motor Lodge''' was a motel located at 1930 [[29th Avenue South]] (then part of [[U.S. Highway 31]]) at East Avenue (now [[Independence Drive]]) in [[Homewood]]. | The '''Vulcan Motor Lodge''' was a motel located at 1930 [[29th Avenue South]] (then part of [[U.S. Highway 31]]) at East Avenue (now [[Independence Drive]]) in [[Homewood]]. [[Independence Plaza]] can now be found atop the site where the lodge previously stood. | ||
The motel featured 67 air-conditioned rooms (singles, doubles and suites), each with its own telephone and tiled bath with combination tub/shower. The motel offered maid and porter service and a playground. | The motel featured 67 air-conditioned rooms (singles, doubles and suites), each with its own telephone and tiled bath with combination tub/shower. The motel offered maid and porter service and a playground. | ||
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The motel was expanded in [[1960]] to a total of 112 rooms at a cost of $600,000. The renovation included a heated swimming pool, a new [[King's Inn Restaurant]], meeting rooms, and a renovated entrance. [[Charles McCauley]] designed the addition, which was built by [[G. W. Hallmark and Sons]]. | The motel was expanded in [[1960]] to a total of 112 rooms at a cost of $600,000. The renovation included a heated swimming pool, a new [[King's Inn Restaurant]], meeting rooms, and a renovated entrance. [[Charles McCauley]] designed the addition, which was built by [[G. W. Hallmark and Sons]]. | ||
During its demolition to make way for [[Independence Plaza]], the site caught fire on [[March 26]], [[1979]] effectively finished off its demolition. | |||
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== References == | == References == | ||
* "[http://www.birminghamrewound.com/features/1960-10.htm Plush St. Francis addition to swing open doors Oct. 23]" (October 1960) ''Birmingham News'' - via [[Birmingham Rewound]] | * "[http://www.birminghamrewound.com/features/1960-10.htm Plush St. Francis addition to swing open doors Oct. 23]" (October 1960) ''Birmingham News'' - via [[Birmingham Rewound]] | ||
* "[https://www.newspapers.com/clip/118654201/fire-helps-demolish-homewood-building/ Fire helps demolish Homewood building]" (March 27, 1979) {{BPH}} - via Newspapers.com | |||
* Jakle, John A., Keith A. Sculle, and Jefferson S. Rogers (1996) ''The Motel in America''. Boston: Johns Hopkins University Press | * Jakle, John A., Keith A. Sculle, and Jefferson S. Rogers (1996) ''The Motel in America''. Boston: Johns Hopkins University Press | ||
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[[Category:Former motels]] | [[Category:Former motels]] | ||
[[Category: | [[Category:1979 demolitions]] | ||
[[Category:29th Avenue South]] | [[Category:29th Avenue South]] | ||
[[Category:Charles McCauley buildings]] | [[Category:Charles McCauley buildings]] | ||
[[Category:1960 buildings]] | [[Category:1960 buildings]] | ||
Latest revision as of 20:19, 14 February 2023
The Vulcan Motor Lodge was a motel located at 1930 29th Avenue South (then part of U.S. Highway 31) at East Avenue (now Independence Drive) in Homewood. Independence Plaza can now be found atop the site where the lodge previously stood.
The motel featured 67 air-conditioned rooms (singles, doubles and suites), each with its own telephone and tiled bath with combination tub/shower. The motel offered maid and porter service and a playground.
In 1951, the motel was called the "Waldorf Astoria of Tourist Courts" by Tourist Court Journal. In 1953, the motel was purchased by Mac McGrady and renamed the St Francis Hotel Courts as an homage to the St Francis Hotel in San Francisco, California. The property became part of the Alamo Plaza chain, founded by McGrady's uncle, Lee Torrance in Waco, Texas in 1929.
The motel was expanded in 1960 to a total of 112 rooms at a cost of $600,000. The renovation included a heated swimming pool, a new King's Inn Restaurant, meeting rooms, and a renovated entrance. Charles McCauley designed the addition, which was built by G. W. Hallmark and Sons.
During its demolition to make way for Independence Plaza, the site caught fire on March 26, 1979 effectively finished off its demolition.
References
- "Plush St. Francis addition to swing open doors Oct. 23" (October 1960) Birmingham News - via Birmingham Rewound
- "Fire helps demolish Homewood building" (March 27, 1979) Birmingham Post-Herald - via Newspapers.com
- Jakle, John A., Keith A. Sculle, and Jefferson S. Rogers (1996) The Motel in America. Boston: Johns Hopkins University Press
External links
- Alamo Plaza Hotel Courts - Birmingham at highwayhost.org