Historic Photos

Photo of the Week, 125: Coachman Motel September 1962

July 16th, 2015

The Coachman Motel opened on January 30, 1961, at 406 E. Washington St., on the eastern edge of downtown Bloomington. The 42-room motel was built for $500,000 (or nearly $4 million today, adjusted for inflation) by Robert Dunn, a Bloomington attorney. The once-fashionable motel struggled in its latter years (earning the derogatory nickname, the “Roachman” Motel) before falling to the wrecking ball in 2008-2009. The site remains vacant and is one of many commercial lots the downtown area awaiting redevelopment.

Bill Kemp

Librarian

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