Before Air Conditioning is a photograph by Cheri Randolph which was uploaded on August 19th, 2012.
Before Air Conditioning
These vintage mid-century metal lawn chairs at the Wagon Wheel Motel brought back memories of the days before air-conditioning. ... more
Title
Before Air Conditioning
Artist
Cheri Randolph
Medium
Photograph
Description
These vintage mid-century metal lawn chairs at the Wagon Wheel Motel brought back memories of the days before air-conditioning.
It was a time when all the parents, grandparents, and neighbors sat outside after dinner watching the children catch fireflies, while they waited for the house to cool down from the heat of the day . . .Simpler times.
Identified by its landmark neon sign, the Wagon Wheel Motel, Cafe and Station in Cuba offers contemporary travelers a glimpse of a well preserved, historic example of a locally owned and operated Route 66 tourist court and a place to sleep. After nearly three quarters of a century, the Wagon Wheel Motel is still in operation! The Wagon Wheel Motel started out along Route 66 in 1936 as a mom and pop food, fuel, and lodging establishment. Aside from the roadside cafe and gas station, the facility consisted of three stone lodging buildings set 200 feet back from the road. Known as the Wagon Wheel Cabins, each building housed three cabins with garages. This layout was unusual because the cabins were not the traditional, freestanding tourist court buildings typical at the time. Instead, the Wagon Wheel Cabins were similar to the multiple unit motel layout that was more common in the 1940s and 50s.
A 1939 AAA travel directory entry for the site illustrates the full service approach favored by many roadside businesses at the time:
Wagon Wheel Cabins on U.S. 66, the east side of town. 9 newly constructed stone cottages each with a private tub or shower bath. Very well furnished; gas heat; fans in summer; enclosed garages. Rates $2.50 to $3 per day for two persons. This is a home away from home. Splendid surroundings. Café; laundry services; rest rooms; super service station. One of the finest courts in the state. Very good.
Uploaded
August 19th, 2012
More from Cheri Randolph
Comments (11)
Randy Rosenberger
I am proud to display this fine piece of beautiful art work on our FEATURED PAGE, of Wisconsin Flowers and Scenery, as it exemplifies the true talents of our fine artists in our family here in our group. Thanks for sharing this beauty, and I am honored to promote this FINE piece of artwork on our homage! Fave and vote Forever, Elvis
Cheri Randolph
Randy, Thanks so much for the feature of "Before Air Conditioning" in the Wisconsin Flowers Group. I really appreciate your support!
Sandra Pena de Ortiz
Wow yes! I also remember those times and the photograph, complemented by the title and the description, doe the job of transporting us to those times! The three chairs on the lawn tell many cherishing stories and the idea of gathering outside to enjoy the fresh and pure air. F/V/t/G+
Cheri Randolph replied:
Sandra, Thanks for such a nice comment on this photo. I'm glad that it brought back memories for you as it did for me. I appreciate your generous promotional support, also.
William Fields
Cheri, not sure when you shot this, but it has to have been before we met. Cuba is just down the road from us. I'd be mighty disappointed if you were here recently and we didn't know. lovely image of a historic place.voted
Cheri Randolph replied:
Hi William, I took my niece on a Route 66 driving trip during the Summer of 2011, and joined FAA 2012. One of these days I'm finishing the Route and will be sure to put Hermann on my travel agenda. Couldn't pass up the chance to experience your wit and humor first-hand! Thanks for voting!
Janice Drew
I remember those evenings when neighbors sat outside on their front steps. Nice shot. Voted.
Cheri Randolph replied:
Janice, thanks for commenting and voting. I'm glad that this one brought back some fond memories :-)
Cheri Randolph
Jouko, I greatly appreciate your feature of "Before Air Conditioning" in the Art from the Past Group!
Cheri Randolph
Hi Shawn, Yes, that's just what I was thinking! There was no misbehaving either - if your family wasn't looking the neighbors all were keeping an eye on things. Thanks for commenting.
Shawn Hughes
I love this, wow, how cool, I remember an Aunt in East Texas and we would spend hours day and night doing the same thing....and having some kind of orange watermelon. The fireflies, I remember too, wow there was a certain coolness to those chairs....times seemed slower then and in so many ways lighter. I love this Cheri, I love the story behind it! Awesome thought! THanks for sharing, you stopped at the "Wagon Wheel Motel". I hope it gives many of us that same memory. best wishes! V/F/FB! Shawn
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