Jackson Betz, a longtime aficionado of the midcentury modern architecture of the Wildwoods, studied this community as an architecture student at the University of Pennsylvania. He lives in Philadelphia.
Hardcover book #MotelsofWildwood: Postwar to Present by Jackson BetzThis architectural diary tells the story of the incredible concentration of midcentury modern motels of Wildwood, New Jersey, from their origin in the Doo Wop decade of Elvis Presley to their whereabouts today. Not many people know that it was local contractors, not architects, who created this trove of asymmetrical, neon-encrusted motels with swooping rooflines and pink pylons, meant to attract vacationing families. This book chronicles their architectural significance and preserves memories of what many of these cheerful, flamboyant buildings looked like before they were demolished by developers, depriving motel neighborhoods of the chance to become landmarked historic districts. In addition to over 200 photos, many never before published, maps pinpoint the location of the motels, some long gone and others stops on today's architecture tours.