Portlander Motel

Located at 645 Congress Street, the Portlander “In-Town” Motel was a classic example of Americana Motel Chic. Moms in one-piece bathing beauty swimwear sat poolside while the kiddies floated around with their primitive inflatable dinosaurs (at least for a few months in the summer, that is). It was at its heyday in the 60s and 70s, when you could expect to find a Don Draper type in the lounge with a cold martini, chain smoking unfiltered cigarettes. During colder months, the Portlander was refuge to sailors and mariners just back from the treacherous North Atlantic — providing a warm, cozy spot to recover some sanity before heading back out again. Today, it’s apartments, and the kids all have kids of their own with better pool toys.