Back in the mid 1960s my father-in-law built a sweet little motel a block from the Appalachian State University campus, in Boone NC. It was big news then. The motel he and his wife, Lucille, named "The Cabana" was fashioned with the walkway trim and later more trim on the office itself, in the popular style of the day: SWISS CHALET. Much inspired by the burgeoning Ski economy in the High Country. (we now still have three of the original six ski slopes in business and that business is booming)
She (The Cabana) also had the only honeymoon suites in town that held little kitchenettes. Unheard of in this little mountain town. And she had the first swimming pool for a motel.
My husband helped his dad to build this new motel as well, so for many years driving by the place even after it was bought and sold to three different owners, was nostalgic. Then the last owner had financial and mental difficulties and the building in PRIME SPOT went into ruin. In the 1960 census for Town of Boone the number of residents was 3,686. Did i mention she is a small town?
They have begin to tear o down which is a happy / sad time for us.
A conglomerate has bought the old building, and land for $3,000,000. Mt father-in-law used to be proud that he got $8 a night for a room from his steady customers, traveling businessmen. And they were all men back then.
We lost dad 3 years ago at the age of 92. His mind was still sharp and a tack and physically he amazed us as well.
Times change. People leave us. But our memories will remain and are precious. Take pictures, write things down. Because you never know when times will change for you.
The new mixed use building that is to be built on the site of the old Cabana and the motel next door. Mostly student apartments with shops below
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