First of all, let me say that the colors are not from Lightroom. Those fluorescent pinks and blues are original, baby.
The Madonna Inn was first built in 1958. Only twelve rooms were completed. Demand for more rooms eventually caused them to build 110 rooms.
What distinguishes this hotel from others is the interior design. You have to see it for yourself. The Bedrock room looks like something out of the prehistoric era. There's a Jungle Rock room, an Irish Hills room, Swiss Chalet room, Indian Room, and a Fifties room. All rooms are unique and are outfitted just so. So you have to be in a very specific mood to stay here - it's a kitschy delight/horror.
From www.madonnainn.com: "The leaded glass work throughout Madonna Inn and the large etched glass windows in the coffee shop, almost things of the past, were custom made for the Inn. The leaded glass inserts in the windowed area facing the large fireplace are of particular interest, since each insert illustrates one of the various Madonna enterprises: construction, lumber and cattle.
The hand-carved marble balustrade in the Gold Rush dining room came from the Hearst Castle. All copper and brass items were etched and/or shaped from original designs and fabricated right on the premises. The 28-foot gold tree fixture in the main dining room was made from electrical conduit left over from building projects as well as from left over remnants of copper."
100 Madonna Road, San Luis Obispo, CA.
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939 Spring Street, Paso Robles CA.
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301 E. Main St., Stockton CA.
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This beauty used to stand tall along Golden State Blvd. in Fresno, CA. Until some addled minds got together and decided to spend billions of dollars on a "bullet train" for California. Subsequently, this motel and many other vintage treasures met the wrecking ball.
A slight consolation: this sign was recreated and is now located on The Big Fresno Fair property.
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121 Monterey St., Bakersfield CA.
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