| City/Town: • Judsonia |
| Location Class: • Commercial • Hotel/Motel • Residential |
| Built: • 1940's | Abandoned: • 1990's |
| Status: • Abandoned |
| Photojournalist: • Michael Schwarz |
Located on the once famous Highway 367 in Judsonia, Arkansas, Texas Ill Motel sits by itself next to an old gas station and restaurant/church. Back in Texas Ill Motel’s prime days, this place was jam-packed with passing truckers, and local residents looking for some good coffee. In the early 60’s after the motel had been opened for 20 years, the manager decided to put up a bigger and flashier sign because of the booming business. The sign could have been seen 2 miles down on a late Saturday night. One local resident who remembers the motel as a joyful memory remembers taking his family out to the small restaurant that the motel opened every Sunday after church. This resident is in his 90s and is saddened by the condition of his town that he called home. “They had the absolute best homemade biscuits and gravy! It was like I entered heaven with every bite. That’s what I’m going to miss about this motel, and it’s crazy to think that places like this have been replaced with McDonald’s and other chain restaurants. You can never go wrong with local restaurants!” No plans for this motel is in the future. Only silence and empty halls are left.
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I put the roof that is presently on restuarant back in 1998
Would you happen to know the owners info?
Ma's Truck Stop and Cafe – spent many hours there.
His wife was killed and Assam as well – while he was singing these words: The cross before me, the world behind me.
It's all for sale now.
Those droopy-assed fans are pure gold. I couldn't figure out the "Ill" part of the name until I realized it was on a map of Illinois.
Thanks for the post I really admire the structure of this motel. wish it could remodeled. it was very useful.
Hi, I just wanted to tell you, you’re article may hold a few holes. Texas Ill Motel was built in the 30’s. Great Photography! Your article is very well written.
the Tx. Ill motel was built in the 40's by Luther Conley Bone my father, my brother Donald Bone helped dig the foundation, he is now 76 years old I also remember the cook who made the good biscuits.