Trade Winds Motor Hotel Room #117 Key and Tag
Dateca. 1959
Mediumplastic, metal
Dimensions5 1/8 × 1 3/4 × 3/4 in. (13 × 4.4 × 1.9 cm)
ClassificationsTools, Implements & Weights
Credit LineAlbuquerque Museum, gift of Nancy Tucker
Object numberPC2015.60.12
DescriptionThis Sargent metal key and orange plastic key tag is for the Trade Winds Motor Hotel located at 5400 Central Avenue Southeast, Albuquerque, New Mexico. The key tag is diamond-shaped, tapering toward the top and bottom, with ridged textures at both ends. The tag features embossed text and a logo of the Friendship Inns network, incorporating a blue and gold emblem with a sunrise design above a series of linked circles. The text on the tag reads: "MEMBER / TRADE WINDS / MOTOR HOTEL / 5400 CENTRAL AVENUE SOUTHEAST / ALBUQUERQUE / NEW MEXICO 87108 / POSTAGE / RETURN / GUARANTEED" in increasingly smaller text size. The key ring attaches through a circular hole at the top of the tag. The room number, 117, is engraved directly on the orange tag on the reverse. The Trade Winds Motor Hotel was one of many motels that flourished along Central Avenue (formerly Route 66) during the mid-20th century. This establishment, along with other motor hotels (motels) that emerged with the growing car population, was part of the Friendship Inns chain highlighting its role in providing reliable, standardized accommodations for guests. The "POSTAGE RETURN GUARANTEED" text indicates how these establishments provided services like returning lost key returns through the mail.
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