The First Motel in America

Last weekend was the anniversary of the opening of the very first "motel" in America and the world. Originally known as the Milestone Mo-Tel it opened for business on December 12th 1925 in San Luis Obispo, California. The location was chosen because it was about half way between Los Angeles and San Francisco which was a two-day drive in those days. Arthur S. Heineman recognized the need for such a facility and combined the convenience of a campground with the comforts and respectability of a hotel with the new Mo-Tel idea. The original plan was to include bungalows and attached apartments with baths and showers in each unit and parking outside each room. The overall plan was to develop a chain of Mo-Tels nationwide but that never occurred under Mr. Heinemans oversight. Staying at a Mo-Tel was a luxury in those days and most people just camped beside their car or just stayed home. Now, it's hard to imagine road travel without motels.