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Any photos not otherwise credited are from the personal collection of Frank Passic, Albion Historian.
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Morning Star, August 18, 2024, pg. 8 The post-World War II "baby boomer" era of the 1950s was a time of business growth in our area, as our population reached its peak and employment was going full force. The busy U.S.-12 highway between Chicago and Detroit still went through Albion, but the U.S.-12 bypass was being construction north of town, and opened in July, 1960 as Interstate-94. One new business that operated along U.S.-12 east of Albion was the Star Lite Motel. It was a "courtyard" type facility erected adjacent to the Star Lite Drive-In at 1630 Jackson Road. The latter had operated since 1951. The Motel was constructed of cinder blocks, and contained 16 units finished in cedar and knotty pine. AAA-rated, the Motel was owned by entrepreneur Mike Nester(enko) (1910-1999), a native of Russia who grew up in Albion. Mike also owned Nester Metal Products on Austin Avenue. The Star Lite Motel opened on Sunday, August 23, 1952. It was managed for many years by Harry and Thelma Gardner. The Star Lite was the first Motel in the Albion area to compete with the traditional and bulky Parker Inn Hotel a mile way in town. The Star Lite was designed for busy travelers who wanted to easily go "in and out," and get on their way. A guest would park their car outside directly in front of their room and enter from the outside. This was unlike a traditional hotel where you had to enter an inside lobby and walk through a hallway to get to your room. The Star Lite design concept was a prelude to the highway-access motels we have today. The Star Lite Drive-In in front was transformed into a café restaurant designed to meet the needs of the hotel guests. After I-94 opened in 1960, traffic through Albion declined considerably, and so did the tourist restaurant business. Eventually the Star Lite Café was closed and demolished. The Motel was sold in the 1970s to Gerald Adams, and then in the 1980s to Ralph B. Hock, who renamed it the Sunshine Motor Lodge. The Motel was finally closed in the 1990s and was converted into apartments. Unfortunately, the apartments arrangement failed and the building was closed. The structure has subsequently deteriorated, and its future fate is unknown. Drive by there in Sheridan Township and view its present condition yourself. From our Historical Notebook this week we present a 1953 photograph of the office wing of the Star Lite Motel, showing a couple of autos in the parking lot. A neon sign on the side roof peak states "OFFICE." I've seen a similar photograph showing a Nehi pop cooler sitting out front by the office door. Our next photo is a colorful artistic rendition 1953 postcard depicting the place as viewed from U.S.-12. If you look closely in the back, you'll see the Albion Mountain range off in the distance (sic). The text on the other side of the card states, "Starlite Motel, U.S. 12, Albion, Michigan.16 Modern Units with shower baths and vented heat with thermostat control. Insulated for winter and summer comfort. Restaurant adjacent. Mr. and Mrs. Harry Gardner, Managers." How many of our readers remember the Star Lite Motel?  The Office Wing of the Star Lite Motel
 A 1953 postcard of the Star Lite Motel as viewed from U.S.-12
All text copyright, 2026 © all rights reserved Frank Passic | Artwork copyright Maggie LaNoue © 2026
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