City Investing Company

This company’s restaurant and lodging division operated the Samba’s and Motel 6 chains.

In 1962, the first Motel 6 opened its doors in Santa Barbara, CA, as the first budget motel for the no-frills traveler. Motel 6 has also become known for its successful 15-year advertising campaign featuring Tom Bodett and the tagline, "We'll Leave the Light On For You." The tagline was created in 1986 when Bodett ad-libbed the phrase after the original radio spot ran short. In 2000, AdWeek named the campaign one of the top advertising campaigns in the last 100 years. City Investing purchased Motel 6 in 1968 and subsequently sold them to GDV Inc in 1979.

The company was completely liquidated on September 25, 1985.


Certificate: Subordinated Debenture Bond, issued in the 1970’s

Printer: American Bank Note Company

Dimensions: 8” (h) x 12” (w)

State: DE-Delaware

Subject Matter: Hotels and Motels | Restaurants and Fast Food | Finance and Related

Vignette Topic(s): Allegorical Featured | Stately Buildings

Condition: Vertical fold lines, punch hole cancels in signature areas and body, and some toning and edge faults from age.