West-Wind Motel (Rem.)
West Chicago, IL Photo courtesy Don Gardner
Here's a nice shot of the West-Wind Motel in all its neon glory. The script lettering and bright roadside sign are enough to make anyone traveling through West Chicago slow down for a closer look. Motels like this are becoming harder to find, especially with their original signs still standing.
The West-Wind dates back to the 1940s and still has the classic motor court layout where you can park right outside your room. It's the kind of place that brings back memories of family road trips when roadside motels were just as memorable as the destinations.
Movie fans may recognize the sign as well. The motel appeared in The Blues Brothers, where it served as the spot where Twiggy's character patiently waited for Elwood Blues. It's a fun bit of movie history that gives the old motel even more character.
UPDATE: The West-Wind Motel remains open and continues to welcome travelers. The old neon sign had been replaced with a plastic sign, sometime prior to 2015. 07-26
The Golden Door Motel (Gone)
Osage Beach, MO Photo courtesy Don Gardner
Here's one of the more unusual motel signs around. The Golden Door Motel in Osage Beach, Missouri featured a revolving wooden door built right into the roadside sign. Mechanical signs like this have always been rare, making this one well worth pulling over to see.
The motel opened in 1965 and became a familiar stop for travelers heading to the Lake of the Ozarks. For many years it welcomed vacationers, fishermen, and families looking for an affordable place to stay close to the lake.
Of course, it was the sign that made the place memorable. Watching the little golden door slowly revolve above the motel gave the property a little extra personality and made it stand out from the countless other roadside motels. It's too bad more signs weren't built with this kind of creativity.
UPDATE: The Golden Door Motel closed in 2017 and was demolished to make way for new development. The famous revolving door sign was eventually removed as well. 07-26
Arrowhead Lodge (Gone)
Lake Ozark, MO Photo courtesy Don Gardner
This is one beautiful neon sign from Arrowhead Lodge at Lake of the Ozarks. The arrowhead-shaped marquee, complete with its glowing neon outline, was one of those signs that was impossible to miss while driving along Bagnell Dam Boulevard. It's easy to see why it caught Don's attention. 03-09
Arrowhead Lodge opened in the 1930s and became one of the area's best-known resorts, welcoming generations of visitors to the Lake of the Ozarks. Although the original lodge was destroyed by fire in 1950, it was rebuilt and continued operating for many years afterward.
The sign was the real star of the property. Between its unique shape and bright neon border, it was exactly the kind of roadside attraction that made family vacations a little more memorable. Signs like this don't come along very often.
UPDATE: Arrowhead Lodge closed in 2005 and was demolished the following year. The famous arrowhead sign is gone as well. 07-26
Courtesy Motel
Urbana, IL Photo courtesy Don Gardner
Check out this great neon shot of the Courtesy Motel in Urbana, Illinois. The animated neon lines seem to dance around the sign, although they don't quite distract from the fact that the neon "E" is a different color than the rest of the lettering. Little quirks like that just seem to add to the charm.
The Courtesy is one of those classic roadside motels that still looks the part. The low-rise layout lets you park right outside your room, just like travelers have been doing for decades. Fortunately, the vintage sign is still out front welcoming guests.
It's always fun to catch these old motel signs after dark when the neon comes to life. Between the script lettering and the flashing border, this one does a great job of grabbing your attention from the road.
UPDATE: The Courtesy Motel is still open and continues to welcome travelers. Not sure if the mismatched neon "E" has ever been corrected, but the classic roadside sign is still standing. 07-26
Park Avenue Motel (Gone)
Herrin, IL Photo courtesy Don Gardner
Check out this great shot of the Park Avenue Motel in Herrin, Illinois. The sign is eye-catching enough on its own, but it's the image of a woman walking her poodle that really makes it memorable. You don't see motel signs with artwork like this very often anymore.
The Park Avenue Motel opened in 1961 and became a familiar stop for travelers along Route 148. The owner even designed both the motel and its distinctive roadside sign, giving the property a personality all its own.
The woman and poodle gave the marquee a little elegance while the bright neon made sure it stood out after dark. It's one of those signs that probably had more than a few motorists pulling over for the night simply because it caught their eye.
UPDATE: The Park Avenue Motel was demolished in 2014 and replaced by a Mach 1 gas station. The unique woman-and-poodle sign is gone, and it's not clear what became of it. 07-26
Diplomat Motel
Elkhart, IN Photo courtesy Steve Felder
Indiana is home to the Diplomat Motel, shown here in all its neon splendor. The motel had been freshened up not long before this photo was taken, but fortunately the classic roadside sign was left alone. It's a great example of how an older motel can be updated without losing the feature that gives it so much character.
Built in 1966, the Diplomat still has the familiar look of a roadside motor court where you can pull right up to your room. The crown at the top of the sign and the bright neon lettering make it easy to spot from the highway, especially after dark.
It's always nice to see a motel owner invest in the property while keeping the original sign intact. Too often the first thing to disappear is the neon, but that wasn't the case here.
UPDATE: The Diplomat Motel remains open, and the vintage neon sign is still lighting up the roadside in Elkhart. 07-26
Brer Rabbit Motel (Removed)
IL Photo courtesy Don Gardner
Check out the Brer
Rabbit Motel and its smiling bunny sign. That grin alone was enough to catch the attention of passing motorists, and it's hard not to smile back. Signs with custom characters like this always seem to have a little extra personality.
The motel has been serving travelers along North Avenue for many years and still has the look of a classic roadside motor court. While the buildings have changed very little, it was the bunny sign that made this place memorable. Between the cheerful face and the bright neon, it was one of those signs you didn't forget.
It's always fun to come across motel signs that have a mascot instead of just lettering. They gave each place its own identity, and this rabbit certainly did the job.
UPDATE: This great sign is GONE. As of a week ago, there's now a very plastic box that simply says the name of the place. Many thanks to Gary for update. 08-08
UPDATE: The Brer Rabbit Motel is still open, but the smiling bunny sign has been removed. Too bad it didn't survive—it was easily the best part of the place. 07-26
West-Wind Motel (Rem.)
The Golden Door Motel (Gone)
Arrowhead Lodge (Gone)
Courtesy Motel
Park Avenue Motel (Gone)
Diplomat Motel
