Here's the 1960 telephone book ad that promoted the Beachcomber. It's interesting that it includes a small illustration of the Howard Johnson's but doesn't mention it by name.
By 1962 the phone book ad had changed to include an illustration of the Beachcomber's lobby building with its unique overhang/carport. It also referenced the HoJo by name.
I love the font that was used for the logo in these early ads. It really gives the place a relaxed charm similar to what you would expect from a beachfront motel out on the California coast.
The Beachcomber kept its original name until around the early 1990s, when it was renamed the Erieview Motel.
The motel's lobby has undergone some structural changes since the place opened, which robs it of some of its 1960s coolness. Here's the "now" shot (below).
(Actually the shot is from last fall. I've snapped shots as recently as this past weekend – in fact, I seem to grab a shot every time I drive by it – but this shot still matches the time of day of the vintage postcard better than any other photo I've taken.)
11 comments:
The place looks and sounds awful now. Lots of criminal activity news stories about it. I wonder if the pool is still there?
Dan, Whoever did the signs back in 1960, must still be doing them today! ( DIREC TDIALING ) AND ( FREE DIGIT A LCABE LOW RAT ES$)
I would think that, if you are making a Post Card, you would want the pictures to be perfect. even in 1960.
Bill N
Those are stick on plastic letteres.
The owner is a foreigner.
I went there once to get away from my ex girlfriend's drunken sister just to get some sleep.
Stay away! VERY far away from that place, it was in the news alot for drug problems, etc.
They chopped off part of the car port roof!
Anyone notice the deceptive add photos?
In the top photo its 3 story, then goes to 2 story and in reality its a row of one story buildings.
Photos from other locations!
Lets sue!
I Googled "Beachcomber" and "Lorain" and found this wonderful website. In the Summer of 1973, Ford transferred my Father from the Detroit area to the Ford plant in Lorain/Vermilion.
Our family lived at the Beachcomber for 6 weeks until our new house in Amherst was ready to move into. I remember the Beachcomber for those colorful room doors, the pool, and the HoJo restaurant. Was there also a Burger chef across the street? It was a scene right out of Mad Men. There were other Ford families staying at the Beachcomber, and during the day, the kids would play in the pool, while the Ford wives sunned themselves and ordered Club sandwiches to lunch on by the Pool. The kids would sneak into the restaurant and order single scoops of peppermint ice cream during the afternoon
On most evenings, My Dad would take all of us to our house under construction to see what had been done that day, and then we would go by the ice cream stand in Amherst for a cone. On Saturdays, we might end up having dinner at McGarvey's in Vermilion or the Old Prague
Special times.
Many years later, when my mom was quite ill, and after I had long since left Ohio, I was back to look after my Mom, and we drive by the old Beachcomber, now dilapidated. She smiled and asked me if I remembered when we stayed there.
I
Thank you Dan for your website.
Thanks for posting the wonderful comment. You’ve captured a moment in time very eloquently!
Loved reading your memories of the Beachcomber! The restaurant there now is Chris's, and when I'd eat there, I'd look over at the remnants of the old motel and think how it looked like an old movie set from the 50's-- I loved imagining what might have taken place there in it's hey day! you've done that for me now! Thanks! They've torn it down now--but I've got your memories :-)
My best friend's mother, at that time, worked at the Beachcomber. As a kid I played around as much as I could get away with whenever we'd stop by and see her. She worked jobs like that all over town. Sadly, many years later, she was shot to death by a so called friend on the night shift at an Elyria Motel on Griswold Rd.
GONE FOREVER TORE IT DOWN
I just had lunch at Chris which used to be the HJ Restaurant. Even though I’m from Summit Co I do still come to the area visiting clients and occasionally sit in the parking lot where the motel once stood. During the 70s my mother would bring my brother and I to this location for the weekend vacation every year. We so looked forward to that weekend and stay for it was the best of times. You couldn’t get my brother and I out of the pool. Unfortunately many years went by and I’d swing by the location and reminisce, but found the place deteriorated and eventually leveled. As I sit in my car overlooking what used to be it still warms my heart. So much appreciated your article and what used to be!! Dante
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