Arthur Heineman
Heineman (1878–February 1972) was the inventor and primary architect of the world's first motel, the Motel Inn. It was originally called the Milestone Mo-Tel and is located in San Luis Obispo, California. It opened on December 12, 1925.
Arthur Heineman
- Born
- 1878
- Died
- 1972
- Nationality
- United States
- Occupation
- architect · inventor
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Heineman (1878–February 1972) was the inventor and primary architect of the world's first motel, the Motel Inn. It was originally called the Milestone Mo-Tel and is located in San Luis Obispo, California. It opened on December 12, 1925.
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wikidata · Q4799004 · wikipedia · Arthur Heineman
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Heineman's background and businesses
Although it was planned to be only the first of a chain of eighteen motor courts, Heineman was unable to register the name as a trademark, which allowed competitors to use the name, and his plans to extend the concept himself were scuttled.
Heineman moved with his family from Chicago to Pasadena, and he started his career as a real estate speculator, as did his brothers Alfred and Herbert. He finished his first buildings in 1905. Around 1906, he formed a partnership called "Heineman and Heineman" together with Herbert, who was a successful building contractor. He eventually became a registered architect, despite having no formal training, and began working together with his other brother Alfred, who was also an (untrained and unregistered) architect. Despite Arthur's name being listed first in their partnership, named "Arthur S. Heineman, Architect and Alfred Heineman, Associates", Alfred became the de facto chief designer of the two, and they would continue to work together until about 1939.
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reference work
- “Arthur Heineman”, English Wikipedia, consulted as further reading
Reputable secondary · Wikipedia
authority record
- Wikidata, structured authority record Q4799004: Arthur Heineman
General reference · Wikidata
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The Encyclopedia exists whether or not anything is for sale. Corrections are recorded rather than overwritten, and every version of this record is kept. Published 18 August 2026.
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