Midway Motel Vintage Postcard

Mom and Pop motels, especially the surviving ones in and around Vermilion, have been a favorite topic on this blog. There’s something reassuring about seeing these 1950s and 60s roadside businesses beat the odds and stay open, year after year. 

What’s the secret to their enduring success? I guess it’s a combination of their lakefront locations, their private beaches, their nostalgic charm, and the personalized service they offer that can’t be found in a modern chain motel.

But every once in a while, one does close – and it looks like Walk in the Water Cottages has put up the ‘NO VACANCY’ sign for good. A short, cryptic message on the motel’s website by Chris (the owner) offers no explanation for the closing, just noting, "Closed, Thank you to all my past customer for their patronage over the past 16 years. Have a great 2021!”

Strangely enough, a rare, vintage postcard of the motel from its earlier days when it was called Midway Motel appeared on eBay recently. The postcard is kinda artsy with its collage, but it’s not too surprising as the property is difficult to photograph.

I wrote about the history of Midway Motel back here.

Here’s a Google Maps view of the motel property, circa 2018.

And here’s my view from Monday night. Looks like the name on the sign has been ‘rubbed out,’ making me think that the closing is permanent.