Roadside America

Before the interstate highway system and modern hotel chains, travelers often slept in their cars along the roadside. Beginning just before 1920, travel courts and tourist camps offered a warm, dry place to stay for a dollar or two a night, and clusters of cabins like these grew popular until modern motel chains began appearing in the early 1950's. These cabins, part of a group of six, stood near here on US Highway 6 in Butler, Indiana. In the early days of motoring, gasoline was available only at pharmacies, blacksmith shops, and general stores. As automobiles became more common, small purpose-built service stations such as this Gulf Station appeared to meet travelers' needs for gasoline, oil, tires, and repairs. These simple one-room structures became common by the 1930's and remained in service well into the 1950's, when larger, more modern filling stations replaced them.

Auburn, Indiana · United States