WashingtonianMotel

I bought this old postcard of the Washingtonian Motel on eBay after a local resident sent me a picture of the motel from the ground. It looked like such a fun place to stay. Notice how narrow I-270 was? This aerial view is looking north towards Frederick. Located at what is now Washingtonian Boulevard, this site is now a Marriott SpringHill Suites.

Name Date Comment
Clark Day 4/21/09 I think back then I270 was called 70S and it was a dual road only as far as Frederick. Then to get west you took Rt 40.
Frank Abrecht 4/26/09 With the speed limit being 70 mph on 70S at that time, I wouldleave Frederick for work at Gaithersburg Lumber and be there in 20 minutes....have times ever changed.
Jack Toomey 5/18/09 Notice the football field at the top left portion of the photo. That was where the Washington Redskins trained for a time. The team stayed at the motel. The Redskins selected the Washingtonian because it was considered to be such a remote location.
Vicki Stevens 6/19/09 There was a presidential ball room. And it did host presidents and dignitaries. I used to work at the Old Kodak Processing Lab across 70S from there and we had many a company party.
Nancy Zanner Correll 7/29/09 The Washingtonian was a nice place to eat and stay. We used to go there for dinner in the main dining room, where the two-story windows are in the photo at top. I remember seeing golfers playing on the course while we drove past on 70S.
Kathy Vaughan Shaheen 4/29/10 Wow this brings back memories. I used to work there as a teenager in housekeeping. Back then Sam Eig's office was located there and I saw the model of what is now I370 and surrounding area. Little did I know so much change was going to happen! Thanks for posting
Joe Brodt 5/17/10 I still have a couple of "Gaithersburg Open" trophy's that my Dad won in the infamous annual golf tourney.
Janice Ryan Young 11/9/10 I remember going to the Washingtonian for a banquet when I was a senior in high school in 1974.
Dave Burnett 11/9/10 Interesting. And 70S looks paved in this photo. I recall in the 1970s it was concrete slab with expansion joints.
Bob Shreffler 10/7/11 I used to 'borrow' Buddy Eigs snowmobile and run all over golf course. We hit a large snowdrift on the lake and had to take wife to Suburban Hospital for many stitches in her cheek where she hit handlebar.
Larry French 2/9/13 For many years the Washingtonian was the only commercial establishment on 70S. We wondered then, and now, about how Sam Eig managed to do what others evidently couldn't.
Jeff Gilbert 2/16/13 Of all the pix on this site, this one simply blows me away!!!!! Think of all the people and cars moving around this spot today - mind boggling that it could ever be so pastoral!
Tony Contic 5/21/13 Does anybody know what year they officially closed there doors-the motel? thanks
Susan Moore 12/3/13 So sad to see this is no longer there. We stayed many times in the '70's. Such nice employees, great food. Loved Shady Grove performances too.
Robin Talbott Swope 8/30/15 My cousin's family had a membership to the Washingtonian so she would invite me to be her guest at the pool there.
Danny Brodt 10/3/15 Worked as a bellhop here for 3 years (summers and during heavy reservations). Greg Hand also. Mr Eig an his wife lived above the lobby.
joe farley 2/12/17 I still have an old I-70s sign that I found as a kid in a creek when they renamed it I-270
J. Dist 6/6/17 My aunt had a membership to the pool when I was growing up, circa 1971-1977. I was there the day the big building with the high glass windows caught fire. I wonder when they tore down the motel. It was magic to us when we were little.
DAVID FISHMAN 7/27/19 I grew up at the Washingtonian County Club ,swimming , diving off the high dive and eating the best hamburgers in town in the dining room . Our membership number was 4 and we stayed members until it closed . Wonderful memories .
Steven Ross 9/27/20 i'm a piano player and I performed at the lounge of the Washingtonian in the 60's but I can't really remember when. Does anyone recall? Thanks.