The Green Lantern was built by Russell D. Kendrick (05/26/1904-07/04/1985) and opened in 1947. Early on it was operated by Fred Schirmer and Gladys Brooks Schirmer. The Green Lantern name was changed in August 1949 due to a patent infringement on a Tourist Home at 114 South Main Street with the same name. It was operated by Grace Evans Rice who had filed a name registration in October 1948. It then became Kendrick’s Service Station and Restaurant.

 The cabins in the back were built starting in August 1949, two courts of four units each and a trailer park. Looking at the front of Kendrick’s, the cabin to the right (in back) was moved to the site of what would later become Kendrick’s Motel. This became the office. The fourth cabin to the left of this structure remained in place and became the permanent residence of Walter S. Kendrick (08/23/1906-05/15/1990), brother of Russell, until his passing. This unit later was purchased by William Watkins, Sr. in the 1990’s and was moved to the corner of Canoe Camp Creek and Route 15. It was used as an office for a used car lot. It still stands today. The remaining units were moved and placed 3 to each side of the main unit and this became the beginning of Kendrick’s Motel on the location of the present Lowe’s.

The original Kendrick’s was sold to Edward Brueilly March 6, 1953. Ed later had the name changed to Eddie’s. Ed and Dee Borden operated the restaurant for a time in the 1950s. Ed would later sell the business to Wayne “Whitey” C. Wilson July 20, 1964 however, the restaurant name did not change. Whitey later sold the business to Deborah Sherman who owns it today.

The houses that stood to the left of Kendrick’s (Eddie’s) were built by Russell. The house closest to the restaurant was a Craftsman house. This was built circa 1952 and Russell and Jean Patt Kendrick lived in it for a short-time. The house later sold to Horace and Frances Moore O’Dell. Frances died Dec. 31, 1975. Horace remarried and he and his second wife remained until each had passed.

The house that was built to the left of the Craftsman was also built by Russell not long after the first was completed. He modified the blueprint of the Craftsman to create this house. This house was purchased by Charles “Chick” and Donna Cowan Dahlgren. They resided there until their passing. Both houses have been demolished.

As the popularity of tourist cabins evolved into motels, Kendrick’s adapted. This project began early 1950’s. Over the course of the next 18 years or so, additional units and two wings were added to the main structure, 2 homes and a restaurant were constructed. The southern wing closest to the smaller residence was built for Russell’s father, Albert Raymond Kendrick. The main house, also on the southern end, was built to the right of the future restaurant and was the residence for Russell and Jean Patt Kendrick (house still stands today and is owned by David Edwards). The other wing of the motel was positioned on the north edge property line of Eddie’s Truck Stop. In 1959-1960 construction began for the restaurant and this opened on June 5, 1960. Shortly after the restaurants opening, Russell began the necessary paperwork to file for a name change. It later became The Ponda Rosa Motel and Restaurant retiring the Kendrick’s Motel name. The name was arrived at from Russell’s favorite TV show, Bonanza. Once the name had been officially changed, a large neon Ponda Rosa sign was purchased and installed at the southern entrance to the motel and restaurant.

The Ponda Rosa Motel and Restaurant would later be sold to Lyle and Betty Purvis Edwards around 1968 – 1969. In the early 2000’s the property was then sold and razed (except for the main residence), to make way for Lowe’s Home Improvement store.

The above information compiled by Russell “Rusty” Moore and Lynn Moore VanOrden, Mansfield, children of Eleanor Kendrick Moore and Ronald W. Moore. Eleanor was Russell Kendrick’s only child.

To enhance your museum visit, we have created a series of pictorial scavenger hunts. Each page has 10 to 14 items to find throughout the rooms and display areas. It's fun to hunt them down. Stop in if you have a few minutes. Bring a friend and turn the hunt into a competition.

After two long Pandemic years, we hope that the High School reunions can start again. If you are planning a reunion, consider a casual afternoon Meet & Greet at the History Center's Museum of Us. In an informal environment, you can chat with your friends, watch a slide show of Mansfield's historic photos, and find traces of yourself, your friends, and your family. Many of our exhibits are geared to those who grew up here. The Blue & Gold Room is full of MHS sports mementos. The pictorial display includes YOU along with all the other MHS graduates in its first hundred years.

For the New Year. Consider a gift membership. Members will receive our 40 page printed journal by mail 4 to 6 times a year with new articles that have never been researched before and outstanding photos to illustrate. Share your love of the Mansfield area with your friends and family.

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The next issue of Voices from the Archives is in preparation. It will be forty pages of articles about the lives and activities of our town. Be sure your membership is current, so you don't miss any.

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