How do I find out the history of a motel? I think the motel has been renamed but no one knows.?

Question

I live in Suffolk, Va and there is an old motel there that looks very much like the motel my deceased husband and I stayed in on our honeymoon over 37 years ago. The name of the motel now is Green Pines. If it is the same one the old name was the Ellis Motel. I have called the motel but no one knows the history. I have contacted the Chamber of Commerce but no one has answered me. This would mean so much to me. The location was on Military Highway in Chesapeake Virginia. The date that we stayed there was December 7, 1968. That was the day we were married and before we could get to North Carolina it was snowing so hard that we had to stay at this motel. Please can you help me?

Answer 1

You could contact the library there, they may have a county historian as well. Either of those should be able to help you.

Answer 2

I'm a little confused here. You live in Suffolk, and there is a hotel there that you think might be the one that you stayed at on your honeymoon. But the one you stayed at was located on Military Highway in Chesapeake, not Suffolk. How could it be the same one?

Through the Chamber of Commerce, you can track down the owners of Green Pines. They'd know what it was called before they bought it. Or, you can find a local resident who has lived there for at least 37 years, and ask them.

Answer 3

The city records should have a history of ownership for the property. You will need to find someone willing to go and search for you. Perhaps the Property Tax bureau could help. Those records should be easily accessable.