Please note that location entries may feature older photos or post card views that may not represent the current appearance, features, addresses, phone numbers, or contact names of the attraction. This site is intended to be a historical as well as current record of various attractions but it is not always possible to have up-to-date information due to the vast number of locations featured here. We ask you consult the propietor for current information.
Santa's Motel does not seem to be operating today and I am not sure what the status of the structure is as I have no specific address. It was on M-28 in Christmas and featured a 6 foot snowman out front that would talk to the guests. The voice was Henry Ames who owned the motel from 1965-1972. He passed away in 1987.
I have been puzzling over what the address was of this motel. As it is with these older attractions, street addresses were rarely included in promo materials or newspaper articles. This one is an example of that. I did find the 1950 Census form on Ancestry for the Ames family. Again, no specific street address. However, the next entry after their residence was 10 empty cabins.
Put that together with the fact I know it was on the shoreline side I see there were 10 cabins on the 1978 aerial photo. It is stated there was also a Standard Gas Station at or near the site. That looks to be across the street with the trailer park mentioned. The result being the place was in the general site of the now closed Santa's Workshop business at E8035 Saint Nicholas Avenue. That probably wasn't the actual address, but it is close enough for reference. As of 2023 the business is listed as Christmas House Rental.
Finally, we have the snowman on the site of the workshop. It isn't the famous from Santa's Motel that used to talk, but it is probably an homage to it.