Evergreen Motel
Littleton, CO
Photo courtesy Larry Glass

The roadside sign at the Evergreen Motel in Littleton advertises its steam heat to prospective visitors. Yes, here's another motel carrying the Evergreen name.

One of the things I enjoy about old motel signs is the way they advertise amenities that were once considered major selling points. Color TV, air conditioning, telephones, and in this case, steam heat. What was once a modern convenience now serves as a reminder of a different era in roadside travel.

The Evergreen's sign may not be the flashiest marquee out there, but details like that are what make it memorable. It's a small piece of roadside history that has managed to survive while so many others have disappeared. 10-07

UPDATE: The Evergreen Motel remains in operation today, and its vintage roadside sign continues to greet travelers along Santa Fe Drive. Fortunately, both the motel and marquee have survived. 06-26

Anchor Motel
Englewood, CO
Photo courtesy Larry Glass

The name Anchor Motel is a common one among roadside motels. This example in Englewood features a prominent anchor on its marquee, making it easy to see where the property got its name.

Opened in 1954, the motel welcomed travelers along South Broadway during the height of the roadside travel era. Like many independent motels of the period, it relied on a distinctive sign to stand out from the competition and attract passing motorists. 10-07

UPDATE: The Anchor Motel remains in operation today, and its vintage roadside sign continues to stand out along South Broadway. The prominent anchor remains one of the property's defining features and a reminder of the era when themed motel signs helped travelers choose where to spend the night. 06-26

Palo Mar Lodge (Gone)
Colorado Springs, CO
Photo courtesy Larry Glass

The Palo Mar Lodge in Colorado Springs once featured a tall roadside marquee that was hard to miss. Like many independent motels of the era, the sign served as both an advertisement and a landmark for travelers passing through town.

For years, the lodge and its prominent sign were familiar sights along North Nevada Avenue, representing a style of roadside lodging that has steadily become less common with time. 10-07

UPDATE: The Palo Mar Lodge no longer operates under its historic name. Around 2016, the property was rebranded as the Aspen Lodge, and the large roadside marquee that once identified the motel was removed. While the lodging property remains, one of its most recognizable features has been lost to time. 06-26

North Federal Valley Motel (Rem.)
Denver, CO
Photo courtesy Larry Glass

The North Federal Valley Motel takes a straightforward approach to naming, referencing its location along Federal Boulevard in north Denver. While the name may be simple, the motel once featured a vintage roadside marquee that gave the property considerably more personality than its name alone suggested.

Like many independent motels that lined Denver's major commercial corridors, the North Federal Valley Motel was built to serve travelers arriving by automobile. Its original sign helped the property stand out among the countless roadside businesses competing for attention along Federal Boulevard. 10-07

UPDATE: The North Federal Valley Motel remains in operation today, but its original vintage marquee is gone. Around 2011, the classic roadside sign was replaced with a much simpler white sign, marking the loss of one more piece of Denver's mid-century roadside character. The motel survives, but one of its most distinctive features does not. 06-26

Park Row Lodge
Manitou Springs, CO
Photo courtesy Larry Glass

Manitou Springs is home to the Park Row Lodge and this distinctive motel marquee. The sign advertises a mountain stream and color cable TV, while its unusual shape and lettering give it a definite mid-century feel.

The first time I saw this sign, it immediately screamed mid-century. Whether viewed during the day or illuminated at night, both the sign and the motel have a tremendous amount of character. Between the bold shape, the vintage typography, and the period amenities advertised on the marquee, it feels like a roadside survivor from another era. 10-07

UPDATE: The Park Row Lodge remains in operation and continues to welcome visitors to Manitou Springs. Better yet, the vintage roadside marquee survives as well, preserving one more piece of the city's colorful roadside character. 06-26

Rainbow Motel
Denver, CO
Photo courtesy Larry Glass

Check out this motel with a rainbow perched right on top of the roof. Appropriately enough, it was called the Rainbow Motel.

I have always liked signs like this. There is nothing subtle about it. If you're going to call your place the Rainbow Motel, you might as well put a giant rainbow on top of the sign. It is the kind of roadside advertising that instantly catches your attention and sticks with you long after you've driven by.

The rainbow gave the motel a personality all its own and made it stand out among the countless independent motels that once lined Denver's commercial corridors. 11-07

UPDATE: Additional research is needed to determine the later history of this particular Rainbow Motel. For now, this photo preserves a fun piece of roadside Americana and a sign that was impossible to miss. 06-26