Mercer County WV Rainbow Motor Court Postcard 1950s Era Linen Motel Roadside
$ 3.8
Description
Mercer County WV Rainbow Motor Court Postcard 1950s Era Linen Motel Roadside. Catering to discriminating guests. Penciled writing and calculations are present on the back, adding a layer of historical intrigue. This vintage postcard depicts the Rainbow Motel, a roadside haven located on US Routes 19, 21, and 460 between Bluefield and Princeton, West Virginia. The linen postcard, likely dating from the 1950s or 1960s, showcases the motel's quintessential mid-century architecture: a long, single-story building featuring a gently sloping roof. The motel is characterized by dark red walls accented by red and white trim. The Rainbow Motel's name is emblazoned on a prominent, brightly colored green sign, beckoning travelers. The scene includes a meticulously maintained lawn and verdant landscaping against a backdrop of a clear, blue sky, epitomizing the allure of motor travel during this era. The verso of the card provides additional details, advertising "New, large comfortable rooms. Quiet. Catering to discriminating guests. Ownership management." The mail address is listed as RFD No. 1, Telephone 9986-6, Bluefield, West Virginia. The presence of the AAA logo indicates that the Rainbow Motel was likely an AAA-approved establishment, signifying a trusted accommodation for travelers. Penciled writing and calculations are present on the back, adding a layer of historical intrigue. Published by Henry H. Armen of Charlotte, North Carolina, this chromolithographic postcard serves as a tangible artifact of roadside Americana, capturing a moment in time when automobile travel and distinctive motor courts defined the American vacation experience. As a relic of a bygone era, the postcard offers a glimpse into the aesthetics and amenities that catered to the burgeoning class of mobile tourists.
