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Sun Land Motel
Tucson, AZ
Photo courtesy Bob Jagendorf

A great name for a city with loads of sun. Here's the Sun Land Motel of Tucson.

Benson Motel Marquee
Benson, AZ
Photo courtesy Larry Glass

Featuring quite an interesting marquee, the Benson Motel in where else but Benson, AZ is still open for business along the main route through town. This is one of the first motels in the US, built in the 1920's. The sixteen rooms have carports right next to them and is still being used today.

Benson Motel
Photo and info courtesy Bob Jagendorf

UPDATE 04/09 : To the right is a close-up look at the marquee for the Benson Motel in the town of Benson. The little auto on top of the marquee is still intact. 04-09

Monterey Motel
Tucson, AZ
Photo courtesy Bob Jagendorf

Catch a glimpse of the Monterey Motel in Tucson, with a desert theme befitting the area its located in.

Amazon Motel
Tucson, AZ
Photo courtesy Bob Jagendorf

Another of the Miracle Mile motels, the Amazon Motel still stands tall.

Tombstone Motel
Tombstone, AZ
Photo and info courtesy Bob Jagendorf

This sign directs tired travelers towards the Tombstone Motel. Check out the slogan, Rest In Peace, fitting for the town that is famous for the Gunfight at the OK Corral.

Cocanut Grove Motel (Removed)
Phoenix, AZ
Photo by RoadsidePeek.com

Check out the marquee for the Cocanut Grove Motel, located in Phoenix. The name appears to be a play off of the Ambassador Hotel, though the spelling seems strange. This sign was recently removed and replaced by plastic. Oh, and the sign spells the name with an "o" now.

Desert Inn Motel
Phoenix, AZ
Photos and i info courtesy Elgin MacMillan

Here are a couple of photos of the Desert Inn Motel, located on Van Buren Avenue in Phoenix. And a picture of this sad little rough looking sign (Bottom right) that no longer has any resemblance to a neon sign - it's located on the northeast corner of the Inn between Grand Ave and the bigger sign - I can only guess that the little sign was possibly put up first and the bigger sign came later as the Inn's revenue grew but again that is just my guess, I have no evidence to back it up.

The main entrance of this Inn is located at 10th Ave & Van Buren but this sign (top left) is located 1 block north at 10th Ave & Polk (northwest corner of the Inn's property - back entrance) this would be the entrance most likely spotted first by anyone coming in from California through Wickenburg to Phoenix by way of Grand Ave.

Does anyone remember "ON TV"? Short lived but I think I remember it as sort of a precursor to cable TV in the late 70's or early 80's.

UPDATE 05/08 : It appears that the Desert Inn sign at 10th Ave and Polk has been mostly destroyed. Here's what the sign looks like now in a photo shot on April 30, 2008 from the same angle Elgin MacMillan took his photo.

Desert Inn marquee on 10th and Polk as of 04/08
Photos courtesy Jodey Elsner

According to this postcard dating from 1951, the sheared-off sign was originally located down on Van Buren.  The sign must have been moved up to Polk when they did a big updating on the place in the late '60s. Many thanks to Jodey Elsner for photos and update. 05-08

Desert Inn postcard from 1951
Postcard courtesy Jodey Elsner

City Center Motel
Phoenix, AZ
Photos courtesy Elgin MacMillan

Check out the City Center Motel in Phoenix, AZ. This fine mid-century motel building features many of the googie elements distinctive of the era.

(Far left and left) A couple of shots of the profile of the City Center Motel, including the large angular siding on the motel building.

UPDATE 05/08 : Here's a postcard shot from the 50's of the City Center Motel. The look of the motel appears to be the same, with the exception of the colors and panels on the marquee. Many thanks to Elgin MacMillan for update. 05-08

City Center Motel
Phoenix, AZ
Postcard courtesy Elgin MacMillan and Jodey Elsner

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Page Last Updated April 10, 2009