John Margolies: The Dude Who Loved Roadside America
Okay, so you know those quirky, kinda weird, but totally awesome roadside attractions you see when you’re driving across the country? Yeah, the ones your parents probably rolled their eyes at? Well, John Margolies loved them. He was this amazing photographer, writer, and architecture critic who spent decades documenting those disappearing pieces of Americana.
As John himself said, "My parents’ generation thought it was the ugliest stuff in the world. I liked places where everyone screamed for attention: ‘Look at me. Look at me.’"
A Visual Historian
Between 1969 and 2008, Margolies snapped thousands of photos of these roadside gems. We’re talking everything from gas stations shaped like dinosaurs to motels with crazy themes and restaurants with signs so bright they could probably be seen from space.
The Library of Congress ended up with his collection – almost 12,000 color slides! It’s like a time capsule of American history, showing us the main streets, buildings, and signage of a bygone era.
Born to Explore
John Samuel Margolies came into the world on May 16, 1940, in New Canaan, Connecticut. Even as a kid, he was fascinated by roadside attractions. Whenever his parents took him on car trips, he’d beg them to stop at those weird places, but they were not having it. They thought they were hideous.
But, when he turned 16 and got his driver’s license, that’s when the fun really began. He hopped in his 1948 Oldsmobile and started exploring on his own.
Education and Early Career
Margolies wasn’t just a guy with a camera; he was also a smart cookie. He studied at the University of Pennsylvania, getting degrees in art history, journalism, and communications.
After college, he worked as an editor at Architectural Record and ran programs at the Architectural League of New York. He even put together an exhibit called "The Architecture of Joy" about Morris Lapidus, the guy who designed the super-stylish Eden Roc hotel in Miami.
Now, Margolies had a bit of a rebellious streak. He liked to challenge the "serious" architects who thought his taste was awful. In an essay, he raved about the Madonna Inn in California, a resort that looks like a Swiss chalet exploded with glitter and whimsy. His architectural purist peers were horrified.
Hitting the Road
In 1972, Margolies decided to hit the road full-time. He packed his bags, grabbed his Canon cameras (with a 50mm lens and slow slide film), and rented the biggest car he could find (usually a Cadillac).
He’d spend weeks driving around, searching for those vanishing pieces of midcentury architecture. He knew that modern trends were threatening to wipe them out. He preferred to travel in the spring or after Labor Day, when the roads weren’t as crowded. He’d stay in motels and pack coolers to keep his film from melting.
John Margolies once said, "I love the light at that time of day; it’s like golden syrup. Everything is fresh, and no one is there to bother you."
He liked to photograph early in the morning when the light was just right. If the light wasn’t perfect, or if there were cars in the way, he’d skip the shot. And you’ll notice that his photos never have people in them – that was a deliberate choice to keep the focus on the buildings themselves.
Capturing the Essence
Margolies had a straightforward, no-frills approach to photography. He wanted to show the buildings as they were, without any sentimentality. He was drawn to the signs and graphic elements that showed off the creativity and quirkiness of the people who built them. These were often unique and bizarre buildings and sculptures along the roadside.
He knew that franchises and changing tastes were putting these quirky motels, mini-golf courses, diners, and gas stations in danger. Plus, people were starting to drive on the new interstates, which meant fewer folks were taking the old local highways.
Recognition and Legacy
Margolies’ work helped shape the postmodernist movement. He received a Guggenheim Fellowship in 1978, as well as support from other prestigious foundations.
In his 1981 book, The End of the Road: Vanishing Highway Architecture in America, he warned that modernism was threatening to erase these popular establishments. That same year, he had an exhibit at the Hudson River Museum in New York. Architecture critic Paul Goldberger called it "pure joy" and "an articulate plea against the homogenization of the American landscape."
Over 30 years and 100,000 miles, Margolies created thousands of images, which led to several books, including John Margolies: Roadside America in 2010.
A Treasure for Everyone
Starting in 2007, the Library of Congress began collecting his photographs. In 2016, they created the John Margolies Roadside America Photograph Archive, which is available to everyone online. It includes almost 12,000 color slides taken between 1969 and 2008.
The Library of Congress says that Margolies helped shape the postmodernist movement. To keep them safe, the original slides are stored in a cold room. Today, Margolies’ photos give us a priceless look at the diverse architecture and signage of the United States.
Margolies also collected postcards, brochures, maps, and other travel stuff. He had a huge collection of vintage photos, signs, pennants, matchbooks, and more.
He also published books like Pump and Circumstance: Glory Days of the Gas Station, Home Away From Home: Motels in America, and Fun Along the Road: American Tourist Attractions.
John Margolies passed away from pneumonia in Manhattan, New York, on May 26, 2016.
So, next time you’re on a road trip and see a quirky roadside attraction, remember John Margolies. He was the guy who appreciated the beauty in the unexpected, the charm in the unusual, and the history in the disappearing.
See Also:
- Documenting American History
- John Margolies Photo Gallery
- Lost Landmarks & Vanished Sites
- Off-Beat & Roadside Attractions
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