Pelican Restaurant and Motel, 1955

Information and postcard pictures submitted by Robert Lee of Eunice.
Robert Lee of Eunice yet again found another postcard from Eunice past on the internet.
According to Lee, “From the make and models of the cars plus the decor it would have been printed around 1955. Also included are examples of matchbooks for the Pelican Restaurant and Motel.
“In the years following World War II the returning servicemen enjoyed a new prosperity with excellent job opportunities coupled with a higher standard of living in the newly constructed city and town subdivisions called suburbs. Industries quickly converted to the production of civilian goods and services. Automobiles became plentiful and more affordable to the populace who as a result became more mobile traveling further distances for leisure and vacations.
“To meet the needs of these travelers, tourist courts, restaurants, service stations and motels sprung up along many major highways that had been greatly improved during the late 1930’s with government paving projects as part of the Better Roads program and the work of the WPA.
“Along Highway 190 on what would have been at that time the outskirts of Eunice, Louisiana one such place was the Pelican Motel and Restaurant. It offered 46 air conditioned rooms with a tub/shower, television and phone to the weary traveler and a spacious adjoining restaurant. And, like other such establishments offered picture postcards of the business and covered matchbooks for the smoking customers. This postcard is just one of those issued and the matchbooks are a sampling of those provided.
“Today only the restaurant remains. For a brief time it was a Mexican Restaurant and has now resumed the name Pelican under new management.