Koolwink Motel: A Vintage Roadside Stop in West Virginia

The Koolwink Motel in Romney, West Virginia, has been welcoming travelers since 1936. It began as the Koolwink Tourist Home, with rooms available in a family residence and a couple of cottages for people driving along what is now U.S. Route 50.

When Wallace and Pauline Mauk purchased the business in 1955, they chose not to tear it down and start over. Instead, they expanded the property step by step while keeping its original feel. Wallace personally designed many of the new structures and handled a good share of the plumbing and electrical work himself. The motel grew steadily through the 1950s and 1960s under his supervision.

Today, the Koolwink is still owned by the same family. That makes it a rare surviving example of the roadside motor courts that once dotted America's highways. Visitors will find wood paneling, private entrances, airy porches, vintage furniture, and a cheerful mascot called Mr. Koolwink. The West Virginia Department of Arts, Culture and History has added the motel to its list of historic lodgings, acknowledging its role in the region's roadside heritage.

The motel is also a good starting point for exploring the Potomac Highlands. That part of West Virginia offers scenic drives, Civil War landmarks, and mountain views. Romney, the state's oldest chartered town, has historic buildings and museums to explore. Nearby attractions include the South Branch Potomac River, eagle-watching excursions on the Potomac Eagle Scenic Railroad, and the sprawling Monongahela National Forest.