Best Western Space Age Lodge and Restaurant

The Best Western Space Age Lodge, a Gila Bend landmark, was one of five futuristic-themed lodges opened by Al Stovall, a friend of President Eisenhower and supplier of metals and plastics to the Federal Government during WWII.  The Lodge opened in 1965 and was the fifth Best Western establishment in Arizona.  Other Sotvall lodges included the Space Age Lodge at Disneyland, the Inn of Tomorrow, the Cosmic Inn, and the Galaxy, all of Anaheim, California.  The Gila Bend lodge is the last one to retain its novely, other-worldly appearance.  Carole and Duke Fox, part-owners with the Stovall family, began managing the motel in 1977.  In the mid-1980's, Best Western required the lodge to update its look to maintain its franchise membership, but the Foxes were carful not to loose the space exploration/travel theme.  Tragedy struck in 1998 when a neon sign on the restaurant shorted out, the roof caught fire, and the structure was nearly burned to the ground.  After the fire a large banner was placed across the charred structure proclaiming, Attacked by aliens!".  The restaurant was resurrected and new additions included a new flying saucer over the motel lobby and beautiful painted murals in the resaurant, motel lobby, and Outer Limits Converence Room.  Spacmen prance along the eaves overlooking the parking lot and satellites cling to the roof area.  A geodesic dome by the swimming pool is a replica of the first building erected on the moon.  The rooms are accented with space art, pictures of the NASA program, and photos of U.S. military aircraft.  The Space Age Lodge and Restaurant is a nostalgic reminder of the beginning of American space exploration and a one-of-a-kind location along Roadside America."