Kip Welborn, a roadie who lives in St. Louis, reports that the nearby City of Hazelwood has been citing the historic Airport Motel for allowing semi-tractor trailers to park on its lot.
The Airport Inn is located just off Lindbergh Boulevard, aka Route 66, near Interstate 270.
Welborn wrote about the citations against the motel:
The owners face a hefty fine, and the fear is that the City is using this Ordinance to force the place out of business. We know the attorneys who are representing the owners (they have owned the business since 1972) and they are looking for information connecting the Motel with truck and other travel, during Route 66’s tenure and thereafter. Any information regarding the hotel prior to 1972 would be appreciated. Its location denotes that it would be ideal for 66 traffic–truckers and otherwise, and I don’t know how many options 66er’s had before they got to the Motel … any inspiration anyone has as to the motel would be appreciated, as the significance of the place on Route 66 may be a factor.
According to the late Skip Curtis’ 1994 book, “The Missouri Route 66 Tour Book”:
Built by the Holtzman family, after the new Bypass 66 was built (1936), this motel, with four rooms in the front, two in the rear and four in another building in the back, has been in continuous operation since. A 1946 AAA directory rated the motel as “very nice.”
This situation bears watching. If anyone has any other useful history about the motel, contact Welborn at rudkip(at)sbcglobal(dot)net
(Photos courtesy of Kip Welborn)
I personally have visited the city of Hazelwood while shopping at Cabela’s for a pistol. I hate to see big city government screwing with the small business owner! I would appreciate a follow-up on this article as the city getting anymore of my business will be dependent on it laying off of them. Hang in there Airport Motel and since there is a bill in the works for additional parking for truckers I suggest you file for a Federal Grant! Good luck!