Explore the Now Abandoned Howard Johnson’s in Flint
A Michigan-based urban explorer has given us a look at a former Howard Johnson's in Flint that hasn't seen guests since 2012 and now sits abandoned.
The property is on Flint's east side at Center and Court just north of Interstate 69. This is within the city of Flint but just barely, the other side of the street is Burton.
The motel was constructed in the early 1970s and today is in ruins. The iconic front building and restaurant is long gone but a wing of hotel rooms remains however its just the shell of the building with its exterior walls and furnishings stripped.
The former Howard Johnsons appears to be accessible via an overgrown access drive that fronts Center.
The video elicited plenty of comments on Facebook both with remembrances for the former motor lodge:
What a shame, that was a nice place back in the day. I had dinner at the Howard Johnsons a few times, good food. Thanks for jeopardizing your tires in that parking lot for us.
WoW!!!! i thought they torn this down long time ago .im shocked its not . i remember this was where im sister stayed when she was in the ARMY
Sad. I think that we may have stayed there, my best guess is 1973 or 1974. My Dad had a convention that he had to go to. This happened in Michigan every year, but not in the same place
Editor's Note: the postcard image that accompanies this article appears to be from another Howard Johson location across town at Interstate 75 and Miller Road near Bishop Airport. Versions of that postcard are available on eBay.
[h/t Michigan UrbEx Society on Facebook]
As Howard Johnson's has faded into memory, check out these other once-dominant brands that are just memories now: