HISTORYVIEW JUNE 2023THE MOTEL PHYL-NOR
By Harrison PowerWith North 9th Street previously serving as the main route for Highway 99 through Modesto up through the 1960’s, it is not surprising that at one time this stretch of the city was dotted with motor hotels to serve the out-of-towners stopping in Modesto for a rest, and restaurants like the legendary Burge’s Drive In. One of these motels, a holdover from the height of automobile travel, is what’s now operated as the Travelers Motel. In its heyday this motel was the Motel Phyl-Nor, and it was the pride and joy of the Anderson Family who built it, serving weary travelers and making Modesto itself a road trip destination.
Aner and Hallie Anderson had some experience in motel operations, as in the 1930’s they owned and ran the Anderson Motor Court on Highway 99 one block south of the bridge and River Road. The Anderson Motor Court consisted of three cottages and in 1936 Aner, a Swedish-born entrepreneur, added The Orange Bowl as a roadside refreshment stand where you could enjoy fresh orange juice and ice cream. It’s even reported that Clark Gable and Carole Lombard had stopped in on their way back down to Hollywood. In 1944 the Andersons, along with their son, left the modest motor court to expand the business and built a larger motel on North 9th Street. The new location was named the Motel Phyl-Nor, a sweet homage to the two Anderson children, Phyllis and Norman. The Andersons, as trends changed and technologies improved, built on their success at the Phyl-Nor and expanded amenities available at the motel.
In 1956 all rooms were completely refurnished, and in 1960 all rooms received new GE televisions. The central lawn of the Motel was paved, and in 1963 the Andersons built a Toppers Steak House to support additional clientele and travelers. Then, the motel got its own pool for guests, adjacent to the restaurant. When the original Motel Phyl-Nor neon sign was replaced for a taller mid-century advertisement, likely better visible to drivers on the realigned highway in the mid-1960’s, the old neon sign was relocated to the top of the office’s lookout tower. Aner Anderson, after having lived in Modesto for 66 years, passed away in 1967. The Motel Phyl-Nor stayed in the family run by Norman Anderson until 1973, after which point the motel changed names and ownership a few times.
Currently there is a proposal for the City of Modesto to purchase the Travelers Motel for conversion to permanent housing units through Project HomeKey to assist in serving those who in the community are homeless or near risk of homelessness. With the proposal keeping the original Phyl-Nor building, and with other efforts currently underway to revitalize this section of Old Highway 99, it would be a wonderful opportunity to renovate the property with features that reference the motel’s previous mid-century flair – neon, pops of color, classic Americana. With these housing plans, renovating the property in a manner that provides essential services to its residents while also being a place that provides dignity in design would be impactful for those calling it home and the community.
By Harrison PowerWith North 9th Street previously serving as the main route for Highway 99 through Modesto up through the 1960’s, it is not surprising that at one time this stretch of the city was dotted with motor hotels to serve the out-of-towners stopping in Modesto for a rest, and restaurants like the legendary Burge’s Drive In. One of these motels, a holdover from the height of automobile travel, is what’s now operated as the Travelers Motel. In its heyday this motel was the Motel Phyl-Nor, and it was the pride and joy of the Anderson Family who built it, serving weary travelers and making Modesto itself a road trip destination.
Aner and Hallie Anderson had some experience in motel operations, as in the 1930’s they owned and ran the Anderson Motor Court on Highway 99 one block south of the bridge and River Road. The Anderson Motor Court consisted of three cottages and in 1936 Aner, a Swedish-born entrepreneur, added The Orange Bowl as a roadside refreshment stand where you could enjoy fresh orange juice and ice cream. It’s even reported that Clark Gable and Carole Lombard had stopped in on their way back down to Hollywood. In 1944 the Andersons, along with their son, left the modest motor court to expand the business and built a larger motel on North 9th Street. The new location was named the Motel Phyl-Nor, a sweet homage to the two Anderson children, Phyllis and Norman. The Andersons, as trends changed and technologies improved, built on their success at the Phyl-Nor and expanded amenities available at the motel.
In 1956 all rooms were completely refurnished, and in 1960 all rooms received new GE televisions. The central lawn of the Motel was paved, and in 1963 the Andersons built a Toppers Steak House to support additional clientele and travelers. Then, the motel got its own pool for guests, adjacent to the restaurant. When the original Motel Phyl-Nor neon sign was replaced for a taller mid-century advertisement, likely better visible to drivers on the realigned highway in the mid-1960’s, the old neon sign was relocated to the top of the office’s lookout tower. Aner Anderson, after having lived in Modesto for 66 years, passed away in 1967. The Motel Phyl-Nor stayed in the family run by Norman Anderson until 1973, after which point the motel changed names and ownership a few times.
Currently there is a proposal for the City of Modesto to purchase the Travelers Motel for conversion to permanent housing units through Project HomeKey to assist in serving those who in the community are homeless or near risk of homelessness. With the proposal keeping the original Phyl-Nor building, and with other efforts currently underway to revitalize this section of Old Highway 99, it would be a wonderful opportunity to renovate the property with features that reference the motel’s previous mid-century flair – neon, pops of color, classic Americana. With these housing plans, renovating the property in a manner that provides essential services to its residents while also being a place that provides dignity in design would be impactful for those calling it home and the community.
