Palo Duro Motel

2820 E. Amarillo Blvd., Amarillo, TX
Phone: 806-383-268

East < GO > West

The Palo Duro Motel opened in the 1940s or early 50s as the 20 unit Palo Duro Courts. At least some units had adjacent garages. That was probably near the end of the time when new motels would have adjacent garages or carports, the space was just more valuable as guest rooms with open parking in front of each room.

Sometime between 1954 and 1956, when the motel was still fairly new they erected a new and much larger sign and still later changed the sign again to the one in the photo here. They also added a drive through canopy for arriving and departing guests during that period. Room phones aren't listed on a postcard from 1956 but do appear on one from what looks like the mid 1960s.

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Vintage Advertising Highlights

Palo Palo Duro Court
Recommended by AAA
Phone 3-****
AMARILLO, TEXAS (Pop. 100,000)
Amarillo's newest and finest court, offering you distinctive furnishings in a a distinctive atmosphere. Air-conditioned units, Beautyrest mattresses, circulating wall furnaces and tilled baths make this Amarillo's preferred lodging. 10 minute drive to business district.
Reasonable Rates.

Note: No mention of telephones, or the garages that separated the guest units. The street address appears on the front of the card as being on NE 8th Avenue which is Amarillo Blvd. today.
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Photo(s): 2012