El Don Motel

2222 Central Ave. SW, Albuquerque, NM
Phone:

East < GO > West

Dan Eitzen opened the El Don in 1950 just a few blocks from Old Town ABQ. He sold the motel in 1958 to Rolly Pease, who apparently resold the motel quickly because John & Mary Edwards are listed as owners in 1959. The second floor above the office and the canopy over the guest entrance driveway on the left in this photo were later additions. In various ads over the years the number of rooms varied between 14 and 17, and those with kitchens from 4 to 5.

The sign, which had been restored in recent years, featured a cowboy on horseback lassoing the name El Don.

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Vintage Advertising Highlights

NEW
El Don Motel
2222 W. Central
Albuquerque, New Mexico
Phone: 2-****
(Beat Western & AAA logos)
15 Units - 5 with Kitchen
Tubs and Showers. Tiled Baths. Free Radios. Air Conditioned. Wall-O-Matic Heat - Restaurants near. Just 3 blocks to the Historic Old Albuquerque Plaza. Less than 5 minutes to Heart of City.
Mr. & Mrs. Don W. Eitzen.

1959/60 AAA Tour Book
El Don Motel
2222 Central Ave. SW
14 units
Free Morning Coffee
Rates: $8 - 12.00
Owner Management
John & Mary Edwards

NOTE: Sometime in between those two promotional publications the place changed management and the number of rooms, but still no room phones mentioned. It's hard to believe they wouldn't mention room phones, even in the 1960s.
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Photo(s): 2013