Mark Inn motel, Moreland Avenue

Based on the current condition of the neighborhood, it's almost impossible to believe but that shabby motel at the northwest corner of Moreland Avenue and I-20 used to be positively inviting. According to the back of the postcard, it once featured not only a heated pool, but its own restaurant as well.

From now on, whenever I drive by this place I will likely shed a silent tear in response to the fact that the gorgeously futuristic "MARK INN" letters were removed long ago and replaced by one of the true scourges of our times: an inexcusably bland sign. The motel can be found at 277 Moreland Avenue SE. Google map

Yelp.com, a website that allows consumers to post feedback on all kinds of places, lists only one review of this motel and it's not encouraging. According to Elizaveta C, "I stayed here before moving to San Francisco. I no like. It smell. I no like the people that stay there. I always hear noise. Someone at windows."

The ad directly above comes from 1964. The updated color pictures were taken 01/09/11. The image on the postcard is undated.