Ranch Motel (Demolished)
Elwood, IN Photo and info courtesy Alan Culley
Here's another roadside motel from Elwood, Indiana. The Ranch Motel featured one of the more unusual motel signs around, with a compact shape that resembled a cattle branding iron. By the time this photo was taken, though, the neon had already gone dark. 07-07
The Ranch Motel was operating by the mid-1950s along State Road 37, serving travelers passing through central Indiana. Its western-themed sign gave the property a little extra personality and stood out from the typical rectangular motel marquees found along so many highways.
Even without the lights, the sign was still worth a second look. It's easy to picture how it must have looked years earlier when the neon was glowing and welcoming motorists off the highway.
UPDATE: The Ranch Motel has since been demolished, and the unique branding iron sign is gone as well. Another piece of roadside Americana has disappeared. 07-26
6 T 7 Motel (Gone)
Lawrence, IN Photo and info courtesy Alan Culley
If you're in the Lawrence, Indiana area, this was once a motel worth pulling over for just to see the sign. Motel 6-T-7featured a distinctive neon marquee with one of the more unusual names you'll find on the roadside. 07-07
Although the mailing address is Indianapolis, the motel sits within the city of Lawrence along Pendleton Pike. The property dates back to the early 1950s and welcomed travelers during the heyday of America's roadside motel boom.
The unique "6-T-7" name was enough to make people wonder what it meant, and the glowing neon sign made sure they noticed it as they drove by. It's another example of how independent motels often relied on creative names and eye-catching signs to separate themselves from the competition.
The motel has changed quite a bit over the years, and today only the memories remain of its original roadside identity.
UPDATE: The motel is still operating, but under the name BlissPoint Inn. The original 6-T-7 neon sign has been removed. 07-26
Colonial Motel
Fortville, IN Photo courtesy Alan Culley
The neon was blazing bright when this photo was taken of the Colonial Motel in Fortville, Indiana. Check out the flowing script used for "Colonial" compared to the familiar block letters spelling out "MOTEL." It's a nice combination that really stands out after dark. 07-07
Located along State Road 67, the Colonial was one of those independent roadside motels that depended on a good sign to catch the attention of passing motorists. The bright script lettering gave the marquee a little elegance, while the bold block letters left no doubt what kind of place it was.
It's a simple sign, but one that perfectly captures the style of the era. Details like this helped give highways their own personality before chain hotels began to dominate the landscape.
UPDATE: The motel is no longer operating as a motel and has been repurposed for another use. The sign is still standing, although the neon has been stripped away. 07-26
D-Lux Budget Motel (Gone)
Alsip, IL Photo courtesy Alan Culley
The D-Lux Budget Motel featured a marquee that looked a lot more deluxe than its name suggested. Even though the motel catered to budget-minded travelers, its vintage roadside sign had plenty of mid-century style. 07-07
Located along busy Cicero Avenue in Alsip, the motel actually began life in the 1950s as the Pink Cloud Motel. When the property changed hands, the owners kept the original sign structure and simply updated it with the new D-Lux name. Fortunately, that allowed the classic marquee to stick around for many more years.
It wasn't the flashiest sign on the highway, but it had enough character to make motorists take notice as they drove by.
Unfortunately, like so many old motel signs, it eventually disappeared.
UPDATE: The D-Lux Budget Motel has closed, and the vintage roadside sign was removed in 2018. 07-26
Frankenmuth Motel
Frankenmuth, MI Photo and info courtesy Alan Culley
Check out the neon marquee at the Frankenmuth Motel. While most visitors come to Frankenmuth for the shopping, Bavarian charm, and the famous Christmas store, this classic motel sign is worth a look, too. 11-07
The motel has been welcoming travelers since the late 1950s and has grown over the years from a small roadside stop into a larger family-friendly property. In 1993, it became part of the Bavarian Inn family, but fortunately the vintage roadside sign remained.
Sitting just off Main Street, the motel is within easy walking distance of Frankenmuth's shops, restaurants, and attractions. The glowing neon marquee fits right in with the town's nostalgic atmosphere and is a nice reminder of when independent motels used colorful signs to attract vacationers.
It's always good to see an old sign that's still doing the job it was built to do.
UPDATE: The Frankenmuth Motel remains open, and its classic roadside sign is still welcoming visitors to town. 07-26
Chain of Rocks Motel (Rem.)
Mitchell, IL Photo courtesy Alan Culley
Here's the familiar neon glow from the Chain of Rocks Motel marquee, located along Route 66 near the famous Chain of Rocks Bridge. If you're exploring this stretch of the Mother Road, it's easy to see why this motel became a favorite stop for photographers. 11-07
Although it's often associated with Mitchell, the motel is actually located just over the line in Granite City. Built during the 1950s, it was one of the more distinctive motels on Route 66 thanks to its Googie-style architecture, colorful spires, and eye-catching neon sign.
The motel took its name from the nearby Chain of Rocks Bridge, one of the best-known landmarks along the Illinois and Missouri section of Route 66. Together, the bridge and motel made a memorable pair for travelers crossing the Mississippi River.
Unfortunately, the original sign didn't last.
UPDATE: The Chain of Rocks Motel is still open, but the original neon marquee was removed in 2006 and replaced with a modern sign. A full-size replica of the famous marquee was unveiled in 2026 as part of the Route 66 Experience in Springfield, Illinois. 07-26
Pine Tree
Motel (Gone)
Lake Geneva, WI Photo courtesy Alan Culley
The Pine Tree Motel in Lake Geneva, Wisconsin featured an eye-catching neon sign that was hard to miss along the roadside. The colorful pine tree and glowing lettering made it another classic example of the kind of motel sign that attracted motorists before the days of chain hotels. 12-07
Originally built as the Pine Tree Motor Court, the property was designed in the classic auto-court style with individual lodging units arranged for easy drive-up access. The sign was updated over the years to advertise cable TV, but it never lost its mid-century charm.
Today, the property has taken on a different role. Instead of serving overnight travelers, the former motel has been converted into long-term residential cottages and kitchenette rentals.
UPDATE: The Pine Tree Motel no longer operates as a traditional motel and has been converted to long-term residential rentals. The classic neon motel sign disappeared sometime prior to 2018. 07-26
Ranch Motel (Demolished)
6 T 7 Motel (Gone)
Colonial Motel
D-Lux Budget Motel (Gone)
Frankenmuth Motel
Here's the familiar neon glow from the 
Pine Tree
Motel (Gone)
