July, 2004

Several months ago, I was put in touch with Hampton Inn hotels regarding an ambitious project: they were interested in putting together: a one-of-a-kind online resource featuring hundreds of interesting and intriguing historical places; an interactive pop culture landmark database that would allow the user to easily navigate specific topics and regions, explore themed "Road Trips" and lots more.

My role would first be to help put the program together, and second to act as the spokesman once the program was ready to go.

Well, that day is here. I am proud to announce the launching of Hampton Inn’s "Hidden Landmarks." While a number of the locations in the database are in my books James Dean Died Here, Roadside Baseball and the newmly-released Marilyn Monroe Dyed Here, there are hundreds of new ones as well from baseball to movies to offbeat Americana—the full realm of American Pop Culture right at the tips of your fingers.

As you’ll see when you navigate through the site, it will even put you in touch with the Hampton Inn nearest, say, where the first professional baseball game was played. Or where the Andy Griffith Show lake is. Or the PEZ Museum. (With 1,200 Hampton hotels across the country, finding "hidden" landmarks near a Hampton Inn is a fairly easy task—remember that this summer when you hit the
road!)

If you didn’t know already, Hampton Inn is dedicated to helping preserve American culture with their Save-a-Landmark program, whereby they identify and help refurbish some of our nation's most historical, fun and unique roadside attractions. (It’s very hands-on--Hampton employees, armed with paint, ladders and other supplies, join their local communities in helping refurbish some of America's timeless landmarks.)

With Hidden Landmarks, Hampton Inn is continuing this celebration/preservation of some of our nation’s most colorful past. They care about this stuff and it shows.

Special thanks to everyone at Hampton Inn and Cohn/Wolfe Los Angeles for all of their hard work. And please let me know what you think of Hidden Landmarks.

Again, it’s interactive, so if you have any ideas or suggestions, part of the fun of the site will be helping it grow.

So get ready to take a trip. Visit www.hamptonlandmarks.com and let the adventure begin.