| City/Town: • Woodward |
| Location Class: • Hotel/Motel |
| Built: • ~1950 | Abandoned: • ~2000s |
| Status: • Demolished |
| Photojournalist: • AbandonedOK Team |
The Del Camino Motel or when it first got its start around 1950 as the Del Camino Courts located in Woodward, Oklahoma was one of the most interesting examples of a motel that we had ever seen. Reminding us of the Rio Siesta Motel with its Texas-style design. The motel was furnished with Franciscan furniture, tile baths, carpeted floors, panel ray heating, and electric blankets. It was owned by the wonderful Ogden family who poured their heart and soul into the business for ten years.
Over the short decade, the motel received lots of recognition in the area as one of the finest motels there ever was, allowing for eight more units to be added in 1952. The Del Camino Motel was given the Wallace Tourist Guide Award in 1958 because of its high standards and class. It was only one of two in the city to have a swimming pool and was a tourist hotspot. And in addition to their popular motel, they opened up the Del Camino Apartments in 1958 as well just East of the motel. Just a year later the construction of their swimming, only the fourth in Woodward was underway. Heated and 16×40 feet long it was of luxury quality.
On August 1, 1961, the Texas-style Motel was sold by the Ogden’s to Mr. and Mrs. Stan Wood. They were welcomed by the Ogden’s with a lovely message, “We wish them all the luck and pleasure we have enjoyed serving the nicest people in the world, our customers. Thank you for the many favors these past ten years.” The Wood’s welcomed their new business venture with an announcement to their new customers, “We will do our best to serve Woodward’s and our fine visitors and help them enjoy their stay here in Woodward and its great trade and recreational areas.”
One of the last newspaper articles found was that of a fire in 1964 at the motel that affected the office and living quarters. Firefighters were up against strong winds, rain and hail taking them almost an hour to get the blaze under control. Afterward, they took the time to help cover the roof of the building to protect it from further disaster from the rain. The units were fine but the office and living quarters was deemed to probably be a total loss. The cause of the fire was determined to be that of a neon tube that went around the roof of the building.
The motel stayed in business well into the nineties but was mostly used for long-term guests, most being nearby oil field workers. Its believed it officially closed down sometime in the early 2000s and was then left abandoned. Around 2012 the motel was bulldozed to make way for the NAPA Autoparts that sits there now.
Gallery Below of Del Camino Motel
https://www.newspapers.com/image/700135546/?terms=del%20camino&match=1
https://www.ebay.com/itm/294783176567
https://www.newspapers.com/image/700140204/?terms=del%20camino%20motel&match=1
https://www.newspapers.com/image/596769022/?terms=del%20camino&match=1
https://www.newspapers.com/image/597650704/?terms=del%20camino&match=1
https://www.newspapers.com/image/596787824/?terms=del%20camino&match=1
https://www.newspapers.com/image/631937907/?terms=del%20camino%20motel&match=1
https://www.newspapers.com/image/602980416/?terms=del%20camino&match=1
https://www.newspapers.com/image/631945057/?terms=del%20camino&match=1
https://www.newspapers.com/image/631945062/?terms=del%20camino&match=1
https://www.newspapers.com/image/700809812/?terms=del%20camino%20motel&match=1
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I spent a lot of time at that motel. Stan and Clara Wood’s son, Buddy, was one f my best friends growing up. I learned to swim in the Del Camino pool. Some great memories at that place.
It’s to bad it was torn down I really like the sign and the front lobby it’s very vintage.
They've torn the place down and built a Napa Auto Parts store in its place.
Great hotel…so beautiful
The Del Camino Motel was bulldozed, and Napa Auto parts store was built in it's place.
This motel is gone now. Was located NE corner of 26th st. and Oklahoma (hwy 412)- search Google maps. It's a dirt lot but you can still see the sign foundation. Wonder where the sign went? Hopefully it wasn't just tossed in the landfill. Mesa, AZ still has several of these little motor court motels that have been restored but still many were not and now used as vagrant living. The retro signs are still in place though.
this was and always will be the del camino. not the starlight…grew up in woodward oklahoma…….
This hotel was leveled about a year ago and I think there's a mechanic's garage going up in its place.
Del Camino. Buddy Woods' family used to own it and run it. That was in the '60s and '70s. I used to trade bottles at the Phillips 66 that used to be across 26th to the west. Buddy was in the cub scouts like everybody else and you could get anywhere in town on a bicycle. Times were good.
I must buy that motel so I can raise wild elephants…..really….I do….
You raised your fat daughter so you already have experience raising elephants.
I think the best place for a hotel is in soup o.0
ummmm…I like soup….
I am pretty sure Melissa is correct. This was the Del Camino Motel. Perhaps it was once named something else.? I can remember it circa 1980 when it was home to lots of oil field workers. Hotels and apartments were overflowing. People were living at Boiling Springs State Park and even storage units. Someone told me this motel was recently leveled? I have not been to Woodward in several years, so I can't confirm that fact.
this is the del camino motel.
The pool pictures are too funny!!'Love 'em!!! Too bad the old sign is not intact it is so "retro"—-neat—-take care Tery
It was actually still in business in the early 90's. I tried to rent a room there for me and my girlfriend. It didn't work out to well as we were told to go home. It's located on 26th and Oklahoma and it's a massive eyesore in a town full of other eyesores.
I want that vintage clock, the stuffed animal and the painting above the stuffed animal that is in the check in area lol. And I bet if you woulda looked at the shampoo bottles on top of the cabinet, it woulda given an idea about what time the motel was closed.
Wow…I lived in Woodward when I was a child and I remember this motel. I just can't remember the name! I'll have to ask my mom…she grew up there. Crazy…the name of the motel was actually attached when I lived there.
It is indeed the old Starlight Hotel. I learned to swim in their pool. Not sure, but I think it closed down in the mid-80s.
no it is the del camino
It looks like the old Starlight Motel out on 39th Expressway.to me. They put in a fraidy hole after the 1971-2 tornadoes ran down 39th Expressway. But I could be wrong. 🙂
That has got to be the best hotel sign i've seen in ages. the guest check in area looked like it was still in service.. wonder how long ago it closed down..
see you've been out west…. glad you got time to post these
Yeah I love that sign out front!
Man I love that first pool picture. Place looks cool!