Holiday Inn

After being disappointed with the quality of motels available during a family road trip, Kemmons Wilson decided to build his own hotel. The first Holiday Inn opened in Memphis, Tennessee in August 1952. A little more than seven years later, the 119th hotel in the chain opened in Muncie at South Madison Street and U.S. 35. Although some of the hotels were company owned, the hotel in Muncie was franchised by Harper Hotels, Inc. Company president was Henry “Hank” Harper, Jr.

Harper’s wife was Marjorie Petty Harper, granddaughter of Frank C. and Elizabeth Brady Ball. Marjorie was a director of Harper Hotels along with her mother Margaret Ball Petty and her brother Edmund Petty. Muncie attorney Reed Voran was also a director. The company also owned Sea Aire Villa, a resort in Delray, Florida.

The Muncie Holiday Inn opened in November 1959, but the grand opening wasn’t announced until January 30, 1960. That day, the Muncie Star devoted a four-page spread to the opening of the new luxury hotel. Nightly rate for the ninety rooms ranged from $7 to $11. Rooms featured king-sized beds, individually controlled air conditioning units, and free television with four channels. There was an outdoor swimming pool and piped-in music in all public rooms.

The drinks at the Fiesta Room cocktail lounge were, according to the Star, “… more refreshing, the bartenders and waitresses a little more friendly.” After drinks, diner was eaten in The Caravan Room, where, according to the paper, talk often centered on prime ribs of beef a jus and the lovely green and grey decor.

Several Muncie businesses were involved in the building and decorating of the new hotel. These included Magic City Builders Supply Company, Viles Construction Company, White Advertising Company, and Muncie Paving, Inc. Lamps were furnished by Excel Manufacturing Corp.

Ball Stores, of course, decorated the restaurant and cocktail lounge. The cocktail lounge featured “‘Mosque,’ a batik-type print, effective as colorful blue and green panel of wallpaper coordinated with draperies . . . ” In the restaurant, a Persian-tinged mural provided “inspiration for the color scheme and menus, too...”

Altogether, a lovely addition to accommodations offered in Muncie.

By the way, do you know why Kemmons Wilson named his hotel “Holiday Inn?”