Carousel Motel - Interesting Picture

[DooWopStuff]

I just found this brochure in our files of the Carousel Motel. I was wondering when the small building in the top picture was torn down and what it was used for. I also don't remember the angled roofline of the building in the pool picture. Anybody have information on this.

[writhinganacondo]

doowopstuff said:

I just found this brochure in our files of the Carousel Motel. I was wondering when the small building in the top picture was torn down and what it was used for. I also don't remember the angled roofline of the building in the pool picture. Anybody have information on this.

The top picture shows that neat circular structure that was like an observation deck for the then nearby ocean. Had a clear view at the time. I recall neon signs were on the front of it. That and the angled section were probably removed for more parking spaces when they added units. Same thing happened at the nearby Ebb Tide and Markay Motels. When they added rooms, they removed the signs that were on the lot for more parking. Do you have any items from the Vogue or Coral Sands Motels Eric? They were also in this area.

[DooWopStuff]

writhinganacondo said:

doowopstuff said:

I just found this brochure in our files of the Carousel Motel. I was wondering when the small building in the top picture was torn down and what it was used for. I also don't remember the angled roofline of the building in the pool picture. Anybody have information on this.

The top picture shows that neat circular structure that was like an observation deck for the then nearby ocean. Had a clear view at the time. I recall neon signs were on the front of it. That and the angled section were probably removed for more parking spaces when they added units. Same thing happened at the nearby Ebb Tide and Markay Motels. When they added rooms, they removed the signs that were on the lot for more parking. Do you have any items from the Vogue or Coral Sands Motels Eric? They were also in this area.

I had this one of the Vogue on my computer. I'll have to look for the Coral Sands. Always liked the Vogue sign.

[Al Alven]

writhinganacondo said:

The top picture shows that neat circular structure that was like an observation deck for the then nearby ocean. Had a clear view at the time. I recall neon signs were on the front of it. That and the angled section were probably removed for more parking spaces when they added units.

I'm trying to place exactly how the Carousel looked before these structures were removed...

Was the circular "observation" portion located near the corner of Ocean & Lavender, while the other patio with the arched roof closer to Ocean & Heather?

It's difficult to try and place all of this now... but this is all very cool to learn...

[MMM]

Neat - thanks Eric. Good to "see" you back.

[writhinganacondo]

Wonderful shot Eric. Al, that round structure was on the southeast corner, (not sure of the street) the slanted section would have been north of it

[crazyaboutwildwood]

doowopstuff said:

writhinganacondo said:

The top picture shows that neat circular structure that was like an observation deck for the then nearby ocean. Had a clear view at the time. I recall neon signs were on the front of it. That and the angled section were probably removed for more parking spaces when they added units. Same thing happened at the nearby Ebb Tide and Markay Motels. When they added rooms, they removed the signs that were on the lot for more parking. Do you have any items from the Vogue or Coral Sands Motels Eric? They were also in this area.

I had this one of the Vogue on my computer. I'll have to look for the Coral Sands. Always liked the Vogue sign.

There ius a sign just like this one between wildwood and cape may. Its called the Jersey Cape Motel. Anyone know what I am talking about?

[Al Alven]

I don't know of the Jersey Cape Motel, Mike, but I'll definitely try and check it out. You gotta love those old signs. Just so much imagination and character there.

The Vogue sign, at least in shape and style, reminds me of the Packard sign. Now, I highly doubt the Packard sign I knew was the original, but it was one of the more high-profile and memorable signs in NWW, right at the corner of 26th & Surf.

That's one thing I'd love to see make a comeback in the Wildwoods -- The classic "roadside" sign.

[Al Alven]

Well, that was an easy search (thanks to the incomparable roadsidepeek.com, that is)...



Great looking sign!

[Robert]

Yeah, I'd take motels like that over condos anyday, there so much more eye candy. Especially with the roadside neon signs. It's the signs that provide the initial draw. They make you notice and make each property stand out whereas condos are so much alike that they simply bleed into one another. You can call it urban renewal or whatever, but this is murder. They are "murdering" our motels that baby boomers (for some of us our parents) grew up with. And condos have more complicated rules, such as minimum stays, rental rules, minimum ages, etc. plus high prices that the average Joe can't afford.

[nance]

Are all these structures you're talking about no longer there? Please don't say they're all condos now. When you have smaller, old-fashioned Motels like these, I think it gives you more of a comfortable and "homey" feeling. Condos, like Robert said, are all so much alike. When they "remove" these properties, what becomes of all the interior things; beds, tables, dressers, etc.? And what's with alot of places that you HAVE to stay so many nights? What if you only want to take an overnite trip? Why do they do that?

[Robert]

I think today's travelers are spoiled by the modern motel/hotels such as Hilton Garden Inn, Hampton, Comfort, Marriott, especially the newer constructed ones. Those places have all the modern amenities that people today demand.

[fuzzyscorpio]

nance said:

And what's with alot of places that you HAVE to stay so many nights? What if you only want to take an overnite trip? Why do they do that?

The three-night minimum policy does seem more prevalent to me than it was, say, five years ago. I think they're doing that because they can. Especially now that there has been such a big reduction in motel room inventory. You never want to rent a room for a night if you could have rented it for three nights. Maximum occupancy with minimum turnover is best for profitability. They may be a bit more lenient during the week but on weekends they'll turn down the one-night trippers and hold out for the long-weekenders.

[DooWopStuff]

mmm said:

Neat - thanks Eric. Good to "see" you back.

Thanks, Martin.

The summer is when we still do the photography work. Been busy. With all of this rain, I have had a chance to get back in the office and catch up on things.

[DooWopStuff]

alalven said:

I don't know of the Jersey Cape Motel, Mike, but I'll definitely try and check it out. You gotta love those old signs. Just so much imagination and character there.

The Vogue sign, at least in shape and style, reminds me of the Packard sign. Now, I highly doubt the Packard sign I knew was the original, but it was one of the more high-profile and memorable signs in NWW, right at the corner of 26th & Surf.

That's one thing I'd love to see make a comeback in the Wildwoods -- The classic "roadside" sign.

Al,

Here are two old shots of the Packard Motels sign. The day shot is the original sign (without the star at the top) and the original colors of the building. The night shot is a couple years later and they painted everything yellow.