Goodbye to the Rockola Motel

Jason Sandford

Jason Sandford is a reporter, writer, blogger and photographer interested in all things Asheville.

1

The Citizen-Times reported last week that the former Rockola Motel, at the corner of Patton Avenue and Old Haywood Road, will be demolished soon. The story focused on the motel’s heyday as a roadside motel in the ’50s and ’60s, before chain hotels took over.

I don’t remember those times. I only know the Rockola as a run-down dump of a place that harbored folks down on their luck. I had a troubled friend commit suicide there back in the ’80s.

The property is valued at $293,400 on Buncombe County’s tax books. The owner is listed simply as “Mount Everest.” Go here to see the tax record.

Once again, it’s sad to see these old landmarks torn down. But in the case of the Rockola, I think it’s best.