That threshold is 1955, an era for the hotel industry marked by the startling rise of chain motels - often around newly constructed interstate highway exchanges. These motels targeted the family vacationer, focusing on standardized quality, family-friendly amenities and convenience for the automobile traveler. The traveling public considered doormen, bellhops and luxurious lobbies negatives; it meant dealing with inner city traffic and parking, and tips, tips, tips. For the frugal family, the motel was simpler: Drive up to the office, get your room and then drive to you room. You parked free right outside the door - allowing easy unpacking and a quick escape to the highway in the morning. Miles, not memories, were the measure of vacation success.

Rise of the Motel: As detailed in The Motel in America, the roots of the term "motel" lie in a cacophony of building forms. Where the first motel was established is a matter of conjecture, with one possibility being the Askins' Cottage Camp established in 1901 in Douglas, Arizona. The term itself was first used in San Luis Obispo, California in 1926 when Arthur Heineman opened the "Milestone Mo-tel", contracting the words motor and hotel. Dozens of synonyms were used -- included ...