University Avenue: TraveLodge

As mentioned before, Eighth Street — now University Avenue — in Riverside’s eastside was once the city’s “motel row.” In many ways, with several motels, hotels and eateries remaining, it still serves that purpose today.
One of the earliest major chain motels to pop up on the stretch between downtown and UC Riverside was the Riverside TraveLodge. Located at 1911 Eighth Street (University Avenue), city permits indicate the motel likely opened in late 1951 or early 1952. Aerial photos from 1948 confirm the hotel was not present.

@1952
Riverside TraveLodge

@1957
Riverside TraveLodge
with expansion, pool

@1965
Riverside TraveLodge
with ‘Sleepy Bear’ motif

2010
Budget Inn
with pool removed

To the right are 3 postcards from the 1950s and 1960s showing the TraveLodge. The back of the first postcard reads:

In 1953/54, city permits were issued for an expansion that appears to have nearly doubled the number of rooms. And in 1955, a permit was issued for a swimming pool. Aerial photos indicate both the expansion and pool were in place by 1959. The second postcard — from the mid- to late-1950s — which shows the added rooms and pool, reads as follows:

The last postcard, which has a 1966 postmark on the back, shows new signage and the addition of TraveLodge’s “Sleepy Bear” mascot to the motel’s exterior. It also appears the previously pinkish-hued motel received a lighter shade of paint but with brightly painted doors added for accent. The back of this card reads:

Today, the former TraveLodge is known as the Budget Inn. We’re not sure when the TraveLodge name was removed from the motel, but seem to recall it lasting into the early 1990s. However, a 1993 chamber publication lists the hotel simply as Riverside Motel while a 1996 permit to demo the pool (1965 | 2010) was issued under the current Budget Inn nameplate.
Related

• RaincrossSquare.com – University Avenue: Riverside’s “motel row” (June 2010)

Sources: City of Riverside, Riverside Public Library