Crider’s Motel may be past its prime
I had a feeling that there’d be something good to see in Johnson City. And I was right. Crider’s Motel was exactly what I was hoping for.
The sign by the lobby entrance used to say “Weekly – Monthly – Carpet – Alarm Clock – Budget Rates” making this the first time I’ve seen carpet AND alarm clocks featured as selling points for a motel. One or the other, sure. But both? That was completely unprecedented.
I also like how the big sign says the motel is 1/2 block away, when clearly it is RIGHT THERE. But I guess that was a way to lure people in from the highway which is (you know what I am going to say), about a half a block away.
Along South Ave F, just south of Main Street
Johnson City, Texas
photographed 3.9.2013
Posted on March 16, 2013, in architecture, Photography and tagged 365 photo project, abandoned buildings, architecture, black and white photography, crider's motel, johnson city texas, lady bird johnson lake, melinda green harvey, one day one image, photo a day, photography, texas. Bookmark the permalink. 16 Comments.
One Day | One Image 
I can’t imagine what the room rates are with all those luxuries. Sounds too rich for my blood. Wonderful image, though.
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It seems contradictory to say “budget rates” when you just KNOW that’s not true, with both (both!) amenities they offer.
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Very nice image as always. I remember when with my family we visited USA and used to stay in Motels. As they have tiny walls it was always problem to sleep . There was a TV set barking in next room or some drunken guest coming late and making such a noise that my husband had to call reception desk , but without any success . Now when I think about it it is even funny but then was all but funny . But still it was great experience and I am glad to lived it .
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Anisja – yes these sorts of places DO have tiny walls! I’ve stayed in them myself, with much the same experience as you had.
Melinda
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🙂
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I got lice just reading this.
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That, or cooties!
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priceless, Melinda. i’ve played in towns where i chose to camp out rather than sleep in the local motel. remote control and protective plastic on the cups just wasn’t enough. tony
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I know what you mean. I once stayed at a place in the Texas Hill Country, where there is evidently a lot of deer hunting. The sign in the room said DO NOT CLEAN GAME IN ROOM. Uh…what? (I kept my shoes on. All night.)
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This place has to have painting on black velvet hanging on the walls. I once spent a few months staying in the Wild Duck Motel in Terrace, BC. Every room had ducks winging their way above bullrushes and across black velvet skies.
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Velvet paintings are awesome – my family’s business is located in an old building whose previous owner sold velvet paintings, pinatas, something called “lottery powder”, and other interesting items. We were able to procure one of the paintings, and gave it to a friend of ours. (I’d tell you what we called the painting, but this is a family-friendly blog so I can’t.)
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The Crider motel was torn down today. It was a blast from the past.
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Thank you so much for letting me know; I don’t live nearby, so there a very good chance I’d have never known. I photograph a lot of buildings in similar conditions and am always sad when one of them is torn down.
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Sandra – I wanted to let you know that I just posted a new blog about the fate of the Crider Motel; you can see it here – https://melindagreenharvey.com/2016/12/01/the-end-of-this-place/. And thanks again for letting me know.
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