PA’s Only Cabin Court Motel! The Lincoln Motor Court

2020: The Lincoln Motor Court is For Sale: https://www.howardhanna.com/Property/Detail/5104-Lincoln-Highway-Manns-Choice-PA-15550/AlleghenyHighlandsPA/59506

2016: 2 important things about the Lincoln Motor Court:

1. The Good News! They have a new website! http://www.lincolnmotorcourt.com/
2. The Not-So-Good News: They have been listed on the Society for Commercial Archeology's 2016 "Falling By The Wayside" list, because of expensive issues that threaten the longevity of the cabins. Please consider staying here if you're doing a Lincoln Highway jaunt or just want to get off of the PA Turnpike. Every little bit helps!

Now back to our original posting from 2009 (time flies!)

Nothing say retro road trip to me more than a cabin court motel. The Lincoln Motor Court in Mann's Choice PA (Just outside of Bedford) is the only cabin court motel remaining in all of Pennsylvania!

The dictionary tells me that the phrase cabin court is an older expression for "a roadside motel having cabins" but to me they are so much more than that. They're charming looking old fashioned places  that harken back to the years before the chain hotels. Individual cabins or Monopoly Houses (my phrase) that you can call home for a day or more, lend themselves to unique memories.

Independent ownership means that the affordable rate you pay goes directly to the people who own the place and not some faceless overseas corporation. In this case, the affordable rates at the Lincoln Motor Court are paid directly to Bob and Debbie Altizer, who, along with their children, have taken care of the place for over 25 years- and live in the building that is also the office in the middle of the horseshoe of 12 cottages.

Built in the 1940's the cottages are just charming. The Altizer's have kept the exteriors as original as possible with cheery metal chairs out front, and window boxes filled with geraniums.

Inside you will find original tongue and groove knotty pine paneling and charming vintage fixtures. This pink bathroom from Mary Deluxe's cabin would delight anyone who appreciates the color palettes of past eras.

(Save The Pink Bathrooms! - brought to you by the swell folks at Retro Renovation)

There are modern updates too, such as cable TV, refrigerators, and in-room coffee makers. Window fans are used for the mild summer weather. The Altizer's have hand picked the decorations for each cottage, so no two are alike.

While the Lincoln Motor Court is adorable to look at, the only way it will stick around is if folks actually stay there, and not just stop to take pictures. Brian Butko reports on his blog Lincoln Highway News that the Lincoln has become a geocaching site to attract more visitors and he also posts some nice feedback from people who stayed at the motor court. We stayed here in 2003 and here's what I wrote about our visit:

What this place lacks in size it makes up for in charm, from Daisy the cat who adopted us and guarded our car, to the interiors which retain many of the original fixtures. My fave discovery in our cabin was when I looked at the side of the 5 drawer dresser and realized that the three bottom drawers had been cut to be about 8 inches deep, so the entire dresser could fit over the old steam radiator in the room. Luxurious is not an adjective that would be used to describe the Lincoln, but I would readily substitute adorable, picturesque, retro and nicely affordable.