Historical Family Owned Motel
HISTORICAL MOTEL – OHIO 40 MOTEL 1937 – 2020
Historical Baker’s Motel – Late 1930’s
The original courtyard rooms, where the cars were parked between the rooms, are as they are today.
The motel was built by I.B. Baker – who owned Baker’s Motel from 1937 – 1963
Mr. Baker gave the land across the street to the State of Ohio for the Zane Grey Museum. In return, the state put an exit here, now exit 164, in Norwich, Ohio.
Historical Baker’s Motel – Late 1930’s
Step back in time to the humble beginnings of Baker’s Motel, where what started as simple cabins evolved into a beacon of hospitality along the bustling National Road. As traffic flourished, so did our establishment, with expansions in the late ’40s and early ’50s transforming parking spaces into cozy rooms. Pioneering the motel scene on US 40, our legacy endures, standing tall amidst the ebb and flow of time while many others have faded into memory. Dating back to 1937, Baker’s Motel stands as a testament to resilience, possibly one of Ohio’s oldest motels still in operation.
Legend has it, Baker’s Motel made a daring move to the hilltop in 1937, leaving behind its original location at the bottom of the hill where it stood from 1919. When we acquired the property in 1980, remnants of that bygone era lingered at the foot of the hill—a weathered structure hinting at its storied past, sparking curiosity and nostalgia. Now, the pieces of the puzzle fit together, adding layers of intrigue to our cherished history.
Baker’s Motel – Late 40’s – early 50’s
During this time period, the motel consisted of 41 rooms with the addition of rooms where cars once parked in the ’30s and the wings of the motel were added. Our small building which consists of 4 family rooms was added in the ’50s.
- The motel became a 41 unit motel
- At the time was one of the most modern motels on US 40
- Owned by The Baker’s
Historical Baker’s Motel – 1960
The ’60s brought about a lot of changes in the motel and the area as I-70 opened, the motel added 20 rooms with two beds and the area’s largest pool in front of this section. Baker’s Motel now consisted of 61 modern rooms.
In 1963 the motel was sold to General Theater Corporation out of Cleveland, Ohio
From 1963-1973.
this section. Baker’s Motel now consisted of 61 modern rooms.
In 1963 the motel was sold to General Theater Corporation out of Cleveland, Ohio
From 1963-1973.
- The back 20 rooms were added which are large family rooms
- A large swimming pool was added
- Interstate 70 was completed, and an exit for Norwich, Ohio was added
We no longer have a swimming pool.
Ohio Historical Motel / Family Owned and Operated
Discover unbeatable value at Baker’s Motel, where affordability has been our hallmark since the late ’30s. While many strip motels have crumbled into disrepair over the years, we stand as a beacon of reliability, continuously enhancing our property to provide pristine and cozy accommodations for workers and travelers. As a testament to our commitment to excellence, we proudly introduce our latest addition: Norwich Antiques and More, a charming antique and gift shop designed to delight guests and passersby alike. Our hours are listed on our Facebook page and Google Listing.
Historical Ohio Motel – Timeline of Ownership
- 1937 – 1963: The Baker family owned the motel along with the restaurant that used to be next door to the motel.
- 1963 – 1973 General Theater Company out of Cleveland, Ohio owned the property, this company owned most of the drive-ins in Ohio.
- 1973 – 1980: Kim Zachary owned and kept the property as it was initially.
- 1980—Present My family has owned the property and continues to run Baker’s today. We continually update the property but maintain the original look and feel. Today, the motel consists of 53 rooms where it used to have 61, but we converted 8 of the rooms into our Antique Shop.
