Howard was born 1912 in British Columbia. He began his hospitality career at the Empress Hotel in Victoria, BC as a boy (pageboy standing on the left)
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| From Johnson Family |
Grandpa worked at other hotels in British Columbia before immigrating to Washington in 1951 with my grandmother and my pre-teen mother. I thought he moved to The States to take a job at the Mayflower Park Hotel in Seattle - which seems charmingly quaint to me - the Mayflower is what brought my mom's family to America! However in a conversation over at Vintage Seattle about the Carousel Room, the Mayflower Park Hotel historian mentions my grandfather was General Manager there from 1955-1959. Perhaps he worked another position at the Mayflower before being promoted to General Manager and I can still think the Mayflower brought my family to America. . . .
Mayflower Park Hotel postcard before my grandfather's era
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| From Visiting Vintage |
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| From Visiting Vintage |
Forward another decade after working at the Mayflower and through several other hotels (he went on to work at the Edgewater Inn - he was employed there when the Beatles fished from the window!) and here we are celebrating (quite seriously) Thanksgiving in 1969 with my grandpa and grandma. Another of his paint-by-numbers is hanging on the wall.
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| From Visiting Vintage |
That was my grandfather's last Thanksgiving. He passed away July 1970 at age 58.
Unfortunately, I don't have a lot of memories of him but two of them include hotels - I remember sharing a bowl of ice cream just me and him at the Edgewater and I remember watching a Seafair parade from a window of the Mayflower (he no longer worked there) . At this Thanksgiving time, among a plethora of my many, MANY blessings, I am grateful that Howard Johnson created a life for his family which in turn contributed hugely to my very fortunate existence.
Very happy Thanksgiving to you and yours.
What a great little post. Buildings and family, my two favorite things! I love the Thanksgiving picture. It says gobs about the time. My friend Pedro and I went over there one day on a lark and met the Mayflower's historical society (members of the staff). They didn't have time to take us on a tour of the building, but we still hope to do that someday. I should rope you in on that if it happens, but you're away East across the lake, aren't you?
ReplyDeleteOoh!! If you don't mind me intruding in on your tour I would love to join you! Yep - I'm on the Eastside but I would love it if it worked out!!!
ReplyDeleteI would not consider your presence an intrusion. And they would probably be keen to talk with you about your grandfather. Not sure when that will ever happen but I'll try to remember to give you a heads up if it does.
ReplyDeleteGreat story about Uncle Howard Jana. When I was very young I thought he OWNED Howard Johnson hotels and was extremely wealthy. Happy Thanksgiving to all of you! Because we are in Florida for a few months, we get to celebrate Thanksgiving a second time. Enjoy!
ReplyDeleteSuzanne - I think I thought that, too! I also thought my Grandma Lucy was "I Love Lucy" since she was a ditzy (and I say that very lovingly!), spunky, redhead named Lucy!
ReplyDeleteHappy American Thanksgiving to you! Have a great time in Florida!
This is a neat story Jana. I love the pictures. Hope you had a Happy Thanksgiving.
ReplyDeleteThanks, Maddy - enjoy the long weekend!
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