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, all that remains is the Restaurant. In the intervening years it has changed hands, operating as a Mexican restaurant and recently reverting to it's old name with a menu of Cajun food items.
