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Palamar Motel & Restaurant

213 S Ladd St., Pontiac, IL
Phone:

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This is the only part of the 1960s Palamar Motel still stands on Ladd Street in Pontiac in 2023. A July 2, 1962 newspaper article reported that construction of a new motel named the Palamar, was to start on July 9th on this site with the building being finished by November 15. A later article stated that about 600 people attended an open house for the new motel on Nov. 11, 1962. The new motel was built a bit south of the 1939 Palamar Supper Club.

The original Palamar Supper Club burned down in early March in 1967. It was replaced by the building above which opened within a few months after the fire. The new build was much larger than the old one allowing the seating capacity to increase from 435 to 780. The new building was a few feet north of where the original stood.

The restaurant building seemed to be abandoned in this 2015 photo. It was gone when we went by in 2023. What was left of the sign on this building when we shot this photo in 2015 had originally said "The Lounge".

There were two guest room buildings but it looked like only one was in use 2015 judged by the number of cars in the parking area. When the building on the right in this photo was built the motel room count went from 30 to 62. This building was gone when we went by in 2023.

The sign still proclaims that the Palamar has a restaurant as well as the motel.

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Vintage Advertising Highlights

PALAMAR MOTEL & SUPPER CLUB
Pontiac, Illinois
T.V. - Carpeting - Telephones - Tub & Shower - Air-conditioned Banquet & Party Facilities and "The Polynesian Room".
"The Best Rest in the P.M."

NOTE: This mid 60s postcard doesn't show any kind of address beyond the city and state, and no phone number either. The lack of any kind of contact information on the postcard and matchbook seems odd. The matchbook does mention Route 116, Pontiac, IL. Thanks to the reader who sent me the matchbook image.
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Photo(s): 2015