Thursday, June 18, 2009

Hwy 80 History

When I was a teenager, I had a very good friend who lived in White Oak, Texas. Sometimes, I would drive to her place for a weekend visit. That roadtrip took me east on Highway 80 in my 1972 Ford Pinto.

With lots of cool old places along Hwy 80, I was always entertained, wondering about the history of those old buildings/stores/businesses.
Today, I lucked upon a piece that screams Hwy 80 history. This old sign holder once stood along Hwy 80 in front of an old drive up lodge/motel in Terrell, Texas. It still sports the chains that held the vacancy sign.
I remember driving by that old place. They had metal tables with round, metal stools. You could drive right up to your room. There was a playground for guests' kids. Talk about a friendly place! Ok. So, maybe in more recent years, you could rent it by the hour. But, that doesn't change the quaint place that it was for so many years. The motel/lodge buildings were demolished a few years back.

It's always fun to learn the history of a cool piece. For it to hold so many memories for me, makes it especially cool! By the way, I don't have the measurements, but it is a good size. And yes, it is for sale. You can own Hwy 80 history!

Happy Thursday!
~Mindy

ps. Keneesha at Me & My House is hosting a Junk Party. Head on over and check it out.

16 comments:

  1. That sign is awesome! Very interesting how the iron works differs on three sides! Bet that thing is heavy!

    Malisa

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  2. Mindy, that is the coolest thing ever! How beautiful! ~Lori

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  3. Oh my gosh! I a jealous beyond words. It is absolutely FABULOUS!
    Valarie

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  4. I love seeing the red "SOLD" on your blog! Congrats to the buyer of the vanity table. The sign frame is really cool. Thought of any alternative uses?

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  5. David, maybe I can keep it and put it outside my future shop? haha Headboard. Chalkboard. Big table top. Garden trellis. Use it as a fireplace surround. Frame your flat screen tv with it. What else? ~Mindy

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  6. That IS a great piece.

    oops is right!!!!
    Margo

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  7. Ah. Richard from Alston's just suggested a mirror mounted inside. Groovy! ~Mindy

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  8. that is a cool frame and so neat that you know where it came from.

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  9. Oh yes, I can definitely see the mirror idea! Especially over a bathroom vanity countertop. Of course, the post would have to be taken off with a cutting torch, but that would be very short work for someone who does that sort of thing. I wonder how it would look painted white and then some dark upholstery fabric behind the ornate part.

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  10. This piece is fabulous and your story makes me miss TX (hubby and I lived there for 4 yrs. in San Antonio at the beginning of our marriage). This is an EXCELLENT find! What are you going to do with it if it doesn't sale? Wait, it WILL sell! Whoo, hoo! Thanks for joining in on the Junk Party too! You rock-HARD! Have a great weekend!

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  11. Hello Mindy - I'm new to your blog! What a cool sign holder! Oh my...

    Blessings,
    Marie
    http://emmacallsmemama.com

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  12. All I can say is that I hope you are building muscles all 12 ways.

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  13. How very cool...I bet it weighs a bit too.
    Maureen

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  14. Isn't odd that the natural order of things seems to have places being THE place to be, THE family place, and then by the hour. Weird huh?

    Neat piece! Heavy!!!

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  15. This would be so beautiful made into a large mirror or maybe a headboard.

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  16. That sign holder is SO COOL! I have never seen anything like it. And, yes, it looks like it is very heavy.
    Midge

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