On Saturday, July 3 Times-Tribune reporter Jim Lockwood wrote how local developer John Basalyga purchased the Red Carpet Inn at the corner of Franklin Avenue and Mulberry Street in Scranton. The Red Carpet Inn started out as a Holiday Inn when it opened back in 1963.
You can read about Basalyga’s plans for the property here – https://www.thetimes-tribune.com/news/business/basalyga-buys-rundown-red-carpet-inn-suites-in-downtown-scranton/article_e1595eee-cf14-58af-b64f-eed28ad06aa6.html
Here are few images from our archives dealing with the Holiday Inn –
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- Progress in the construction of the new Holiday Inn Motel can be seen in view from sixth floor of Scranton State General Hospital across Mulberry St. and Franklin Ave. on June 5, 1963. One of the sections of bedroom units can be seen in background. Steel is about completed for building at right which will house office, restaurant, meeting rooms and other facilities. TIMES-TRIBUNE ARCHIVES
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- George Homich, innkeeper of Holiday Inn in Scranton, prepares to cut motel’s first anniversary cake on Aug. 20, 1964. Looking on from left: M.D. Evans, secretary-treasurer of Central Atlantic Corp, which operates the motel; Atty. Edwin Presser, v-p and general consel of Central Atlantic; and Lloyd Kramer, clerk at the local motel who baked the cake. TIMES-TRIBUNE ARCHIVES
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- Guest of the Holiday Inn are enjoying the motel’s pool on Aug. 30, 1969. The motel is across the street from the Scranton State General Hospital. TIMES-TRIBUNE ARCHIVES
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- An agreement apparently has been reached for the sale of the sprawling Best Western Motel on Mulberry Street and Franklin Avenue in Scranton on Jan 24, 1985 to a corporation created by United Penn Bank of Wilkes-Barre. TIMES-TRIBUNE ARCHIVES
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- The University Inn at Franklin Avenue and Mulberry Street, as seen on Nov. 9, 1985, has undergone $1 million renovation since the former Holiday Inn was taken over by Southern Tier Management of New York state. TIMES-TRIBUNE ARCHIVES
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- Muhammad Ali, responds to question from the floor at news conference held Thursday Nov 9, 1972 at the Holiday Inn. Session was called to promote Ali’s appearance in the ring Saturday night in Scranton. Times-Tribune Archives
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- Ground is broken at Mulberry St. and Franklin Ave. on Nov. 21, 1962 for 150 unit Holiday Inn Motel to be built and operated by Central Atlantic Corp., Jacksonville, Florida. Taking part in ceremony, from left: Edwin Presser, v-p and general counsel for Central Atlantic; Gordon Evans, members of Scranton Redevelopment Authority; Thomas L. Moran, SRA Chairman’ George W. Thomas, president of Central Atlantic; and Scranton Mayor William Schmidt. TIMES-TRIBUNE ARCHIVES
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- Aerial view of the Holiday Inn at the corner of Mulberry St. and Frankin Ave. on Oct. 16, 1963. TIMES-TRIBUNE ARCHIVES
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- This is a hospital patient’s view of the new $2 million Holiday Inn Motel, Mulberry St. and Franklin Ave. Photo was taken from Scranton State General Hospital, across Mulberry St. on Aug 6, 1963. Target date for opening motel units is Aug. 15 and construction official said that it is expected that some of 148 units will be ready at that time. However, larger building at right, which will house the restaurant and lounge facilities will not be opened for another month. In center is partially completed swimiing pool. TIMES-TRIBUNE ARCHIVES
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- This is a hospital patient’s view of the new $2 million Holiday Inn Motel, Mulberry St. and Franklin Ave. Photo was taken from Scranton State General Hospital, across Mulberry St. on Aug 6, 1963. Target date for opening motel units is Aug. 15 and construction official said that it is expected that some of 148 units will be ready at that time. In center is partially completed swimiing pool. TIMES-TRIBUNE ARCHIVES
Brian Fulton has been the librarian at The Times-Tribune for the past 15 years. On his blog, Historically Hip, he writes about the great concerts, plays/musicals and celebrity happenings that have taken place throughout NEPA. He is also the co-host of the local history podcast, Historically Hip. He competed and was crowned grand champion on an episode of NPR quiz show “Ask Me Another.” Contact: bfulton@timesshamrock.com; 570-348-9140; or @TTPagesPast
