Pink Motel Timeline
1946–1947: Construction
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Built in 1946 (some sources cite “1946–47”) by Pennsylvania expats Maximillian (Joseph) and Gladys Thomulka along San Fernando Road, then a major route north of L.A. It featured 20 compact rooms, each with its own bath, and neon‑pink walls—quite the roadside spectacle Facebook+10Los Angeles Times+10I Am Not A Stalker+10.
1949: Addition of Café
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In 1949, the Thomulkas opened the Pink Café adjacent to the motel. Today it operates as Cadillac Jack’s Café, maintaining a 1950s diner aesthetic Curbed LA+2LA Conservancy+2Pinterest+2.
1959: Fish‑Shaped Pool
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A few years later, in 1959, they installed a now‑iconic fish‑shaped swimming pool, surrounded by palm trees and era‑typical 1950s/60s pool furniture Curbed LA+3LA Conservancy+3Pinterest+3.
Later Transformations
1970s: Skate Culture Hotspot
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The empty fish pool became a magnet for skateboarders in the ’70s, evolving into a local skate‑culture icon .
1980s–1990s: Film & TV Emergence
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As traffic on San Fernando Road declined (with the opening of I‑5), Monty Thomulka—son of the founders—pivoted to renting the property for film and photo shoots. The motel, café, classic cars, and pool have appeared in dozens of productions, from Dexter to GLOW Facebook+5Curbed LA+5LA Conservancy+5.
2000s–2020s: Preservation & Pool Remodels
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The site has been maintained meticulously in its mid‑century look.
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The pool has undergone periodic renovations to preserve its structure and appeal for filming and skating events—able to be either filled or drained for various purposes, and still popular with vintage furniture and props .
Summary
| Era | Key Developments |
|---|---|
| 1946–47 | Motel built with 20 themed rooms |
| 1949 | Pink Café added |
| 1959 | Iconic fish‑shaped pool installed |
| 1970s | Pool becomes skate hotspot |
| 1980s onward | Film location; classic cars and café preserved |
| 2000s–2020s | Pool remodels for shoots & skating; property kept in pristine ’50s condition |
Today, the Pink Motel stands as one of the few surviving landmarks from the San Fernando Road motel boom. Its blend of Googie‑style architecture, neon colors, a quirky pool, and classic diner makes it a timeless slice of mid‑century Americana—and a golden opportunity for period filming and vivid public nostalgia.