Salem Motel

History

Located along U.S. Route 19 between Perry and Cross City sits the small unincorporated community of Salem. While the name might conjure up images of witches and hangman’s trees, the town is far more tranquil, consisting of little more than a few homes, a gas station, and a vacant motel. Its post office has been serving the area since April 16, 1915.

D. G. Painter, the Owner

Public records show the motel was built in 1954, just two years before construction began on the Interstate Highway System. The owner, Denver Groves “Spider” Painter, a Korean War veteran who established his business shortly after his return from Korea. The back of a postcard for the motel reads, “12 units, air cond. Heat, T.V. every room, wall to wall carpet. Close to restaurant and shopping area. Open all year. Family Rates. Owners Mr. and Mrs. D. G. Painter“

A February 1974 article in the Sarasota Journal features an interview with D. G. Painter, who, along with the motel and restaurant mentioned in the postcard, also owned a filling station. Painter said he was in the midst of a “gas war” with the other nearby stations, having priced his gasoline eight cents below the recommended levy. He hoped the cheap gas would attract visitors to his other businesses.

Closure

Like many small, bypass-adjacent communities, Salem saw traffic decline as drivers opted for the highway, eventually forcing the motel to close. Though it sat vacant for years, the property is now being slowly renovated by Southampton Properties LLC. Inside, fresh window installation dates revealed that work had been underway just a month before my visit.

Next door sits a structure that housed the restaurant with upstairs apartments. Although Southampton Properties LLC also owns this building, no active renovation work is taking place here. While I was photographing the exterior, a passing truck driver pulled over to share his hope that the historic building would be saved, though he couldn’t offer any additional details about its past.

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