The Roadside Motel has been a major part of the American roadside culture for
decades. Whether the sign read "Do it in a Tee Pee" (Wigwam
Motel, Rialto CA) or "Color TV", each motel attempted to catch
the eye of the weary traveler.
Oasis Motel (Demolished)
Anaheim, CA Photo courtesy Georg Balandran
Travelers and passersby alike would encounter a never-ending stream of neon motel signs as they pass from town to town. Stop to see the neon here at Roadside Peek'sNeon Motels.
Star View Motel Photo courtesy Georg Balandran
Travelers also see s numerous googie motels in their travels, each
one different from the rest. Between the glow of the neon and space age
look of googie, the look of these roadside motels was never better.
Safari Inn Photo courtesy Georg Balandran
As
time went by, other Roadside Motel signage evolved,
not quite like the old googie/boomerang look, but unique nonetheless.
One of the looks that evolved during the 1970's was the Tiki
motel look, a style that could be found on more than a few apartment complexes
and motels.
Bob's Motel Photo by RoadsidePeek.com
Bob's Motel and Safari Inn are a couple of motel warriors that have lasted
through the new decade. Although lately, the Bob's Motel paint is starting to look a little more worse for wear.
Stovall's Apollo Inn (removed) Photo courtesy Louis Di Fazio
Another new addition is Orange
County Motels. Primarily centering on motel signage near Disneyland,
these signs are rapidly transforming from the astro googie look of the
60's and 70's to the new "resort" look of the millennium. As
Disneyland continues to build the California Adventure resort next to
the main park, these memorable signs just disappear.
A Fishers Inn Photo by RoadsidePeek.com
The most recent addition to the Motels section is Las
Vegas Motels. Yes, Vegas, the land of the posh resort hotels. In some
circles, Las Vegas is home to the best googie around. Of course those
of us from Southern California or Florida may dispute that notion. Nonetheless,
Vegas does have some of the very best motel signage. See here for yourself!
Heart O' Town Motel (Demolished)
Reno, NV Photo courtesy Dave & Debra van Hulsteyn
Travel down Virginia St. in Reno and the Heart O' Town Motel is a can't miss item, both literally and figuratively. Unfortunately this motel was demolished recently and the sign is now gone. Check out the look of this marquee from back in the day. See ths motel and more at Roadside Peek'sReno Motels.