And then we arrived in beautiful Virginia!
Blue Ridge Mountains
Enjoying a picnic lunch at a roadside overlook from I-64, we admired the Blue Ridge Mountains.
Lord Paget Motor Inn
In another couple of hours, we arrived at the quaint Lord Paget Motor Inn, located at 901 Capitol Landing Road.
Built in 1952, the Georgian features made us feel as though we were in Colonial Williamsburg, less than a mile from the historic area.
Many of the features reminded me of the Governor’s Palace, like the stocked lake for fishing. (seen in blog post header)
Other features evoked fine living in the 1950s: miniature golf, swimming pool, entryways to each room from the parking area. Check out this vintage postcard of the swimming pool!
Also check out this vintage brochure!
Sadly the place was run down.
I began to dream of buying the property to upgrade like brand new, while retaining the 1950s colonial revival charm.
Knowing my budget wouldn’t allow for a remodel much less a property purchase, all I could do was dream.
Williamsburg’s Boom of 1950s Motor Inns
Part of the charm of Williamsburg is all the motor inns from the 1950s. Colonial Williamsburg was established in the 1920s, and by the 1950s Americans were ready to travel.
By this time many renovations had transformed the sleepy modernized historic area into a closer representation of its 18th century style.
The economic boost must have been amazing for the town since the old motels are everywhere.
1989 visit at a vintage motor inn on Richmond Road
I searched in vain for another motel I stayed at, on my first visit in 1989.
After visiting the Virginia state capitol in Richmond, we took Richmond Rd to Williamsburg.
Once arriving in town we pulled into the first cute motel on our right.
Looking a lot like the Princess Ann Motor Lodge, it was white. The swimming pool was behind the admin office, the grand building in front.
In a U-shape around the office were the motel units, in front of which we parked. We had the end unit on the right, facing the motel.
Across the street was a larger motel/hotel, more expensive, not as charming.
Needing to be cautious with our budget, I’m glad that allowed for vintage charm.
Colonial Williamsburg 1989 Style
I remember enthusiastically hopping in the car every morning, turning down Richmond Rd onto Lafayette Rd to arrive at a parking area off the historic area.
Entering town the first event to meet us was the booming of cannons as the militia practiced their formations.
I was so geeked out and thrilled to finally be in a place I first saw on tv as a little girl: an 18th century town that’s alive every day!
The streets were alive for sure!
Horses clip clopping through town as pulling carriages.
Historical interpreters in proper attire were everywhere, telling their story.
In front of the Greenhow Store, a properly dressed 18th century farmer, dressed in long cream pants and white shirt, shared the story of tobacco, while leaning on a hogshead of tobacco.
Explaining how tobacco is grown, harvested, packed, and shipped to England, he taught us about the mercantile system that bound Virginia to England.
From there I remember walking to the Wythe house, where we followed an 18th century girl lead a red devon into the barn to milk.
I remember visiting the Powell’s at their home behind the Capitol. Through the window we saw a fine looking gentleman arrive to talk to speak sweet-nothings to their daughter, who was sitting in the garden.
And on and on the week went.
When we were hot and tired, which was easy to happen in hot, humid July, we could buy lemonade on a corner near the Capitol, from an 18th century vendor.
In the evenings we’d cool off in the pool. For me that was a quick dip as the evening cooled rapidly once the sun started to set, unlike Texas.
Epilogue
I’ve since made hundreds of trips to Colonial Williamsburg, all terrific, but none as alive with interpreters, programs, and guests than my 1989 trip.
When we purchased our 1989 tickets, we nearly purchased an extra ticket to tour Carter’s Grove, a gorgeous plantation home, now long since gone.
After falling into disrepair, there was a long story of failed owners and new owners. I’d have loved to restore that property too.
Well, if I can’t afford the Lord Paget Motor Inn, there is certainly no way I could afford Carter’s Grove.
At least Carter’s Grove does exist, albeit privately, now.
However the Lord Paget Motor Inn has followed the fate of most of the vintage motels in Williamsburg. It no longer exists.
The faded 1950s property assessed at $2,753,000 for 9 buildings on 6.5 acres, was sold to the city of Williamsburg at a cost of $697,000.
In 2014 a portion of the lot was purchased by a distillery.
In my research it was difficult to find any of the lost history of these vintage motor inns.
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