Debonair Motel (Demolished)
McCordsville, IN Photo and info courtesy Alan Culley
The Debonair Motel and its bright neon sign once greeted travelers passing through McCordsville, Indiana along Pendleton Pike. When this photo was taken, the Indianapolis suburbs were already beginning to spread eastward, putting more pressure on the old roadside businesses that had served motorists for decades. 12-07
The Debonair was a typical independent highway motel that relied on a colorful neon marquee to catch the attention of passing traffic. For nearly four decades it was owned and operated by Mary Cook, who kept the motel welcoming travelers long after many similar roadside properties had disappeared.
Like so many motels from that era, the Debonair eventually found itself surrounded by new development as the area continued to grow. Unfortunately, little has surfaced about the motel's final years, making it one of those places that quietly slipped away.
UPDATE: The Debonair Motel was demolished. Myself and another fellow tried to rescue it with no return calls. I did rescue the Motel 6 T 7 down the street, which will be restored & put into a new sign museum. Many thanks for update. 02-08
UPDATE: The Debonair Motel has since closed and the property has been demolished as development continued to move east from Indianapolis. Not sure what became of the old neon sign. 07-26
Belle Vista Motel (Gone)
Fort Wayne, IN Photo courtesy Alan Culley
The Belle Vista Motel in Fort Wayne, IN was another one of those classic roadside motels that relied on a bright neon sign to catch the attention of passing travelers. Judging by this marquee, it must have done the job well. 12-07
The motel was owned and operated by H. Lewis and Rebecca Summers, who purchased the property in 1955 and ran it for more than 40 years. Like many independent motels of the era, the Belle Vista handed out its own matchbooks and promotional pencils, hoping guests would remember where they stayed on their next trip through town.
UPDATE: The Belle Vista Motel is long gone. If anyone knows what became of the neon sign or has any memories of staying here, I'd love to hear the story. 07-26
Bel-Air Motel (Rem.)
Clarksville, IN Photo courtesy Alan Culley
The Bel-Air Motel in Clarksville, IN (just outside Jeffersonville) is another one of those classic roadside motels that's easy to spot thanks to its vintage neon sign. As the sun goes down, the script lettering really comes to life and gives the place that old highway feel. 12-07
The Bel-Air has been welcoming travelers along U.S. 31 for decades and remains in business today. The motel is a traditional single-story motor court where you can still park right outside your room, just like in the heyday of road trips. It also operates alongside the neighboring Star Motel, giving this stretch of highway a nice reminder of when independent motels lined America's main roads.
While the exact age of the motel isn't known, the sign is pure mid-century roadside Americana and thankfully is still standing today.
UPDATE: The Bel-Air Motel remains open, however its classic roadside marquee was switched out from neon several years ago. 07-26
Star Motel (Rem.)
Jeffersonville, IN Photo courtesy Alan Culley
Photo courtesy Alan Culley
The Star Motel in Clarksville, IN has one of those motel signs that's hard to forget. The swooping design and bright yellow star give it plenty of personality, making it the kind of sign that catches your eye long before you reach the motel. 12-07
The Star Motel is still welcoming travelers today and remains a family-owned independent motel along U.S. 31. Like many classic roadside motels, it's a single-story layout where you can park right outside your room. It also operates alongside the nearby Bel-Air Motel, another survivor from the golden age of highway travel.
The exact age of the motel isn't known, but thankfully the vintage marquee is still standing. The sweeping lines and oversized star are a great reminder of a time when motel owners competed for attention with creative neon instead of giant chain logos.
UPDATE: The Star Motel remains open, and its distinctive neon sign has disappeared off the roadside landscape. 07-26
Blue Bay Motel (Gone)
St Ignace, MI Photo courtesy Alan Culley
Check out this nicely preserved neon sign from the Blue Bay Motel in St. Ignace, Michigan. The bright blue letters were fully lit when this photo was taken, making it the kind of roadside sign that would have caught the eye of travelers heading into Michigan's Upper Peninsula. 12-07
Like many of the independent motels that once lined the highways, the Blue Bay Motel offered motorists a place to stop for the night while adding a little personality to the roadside. The motel can be traced back at least to the 1980s, although very little has surfaced about its history. Fortunately, this photo preserves the sign when it was still glowing as intended.
UPDATE: The Blue Bay Motel no longer appears to exist under that name, and the property has likely been demolished or redeveloped. The vintage neon sign is gone as well, although the exact timing couldn't be confirmed. Not to be confused with the active Blue Bay Motel in Tobermory, Ontario. 07-26
Northernaire Motel (Gone)
St Ignace, MI Photo courtesy Alan Culley
Here's another classic Upper Peninsula motel sign. The Northernaire Motel in St. Ignace had its bright "No Vacancy" sign glowing when this photo was taken, a good indication that plenty of travelers were making their way through town. 12-07
Located just north of downtown on Business Loop I-75, the Northernaire was a small, independently owned motel that welcomed visitors to the Straits area for decades. With just 15 rooms and a handful of cabins, it was the kind of family-run place that was once common along America's highways. The illuminated "No Vacancy" sign added a nice touch and was exactly the sort of detail that caught the attention of passing motorists.
UPDATE: The Northernaire Motel has permanently closed. It appeared this neon sign has been long gone. 07-26
Debonair Motel (Demolished)
Belle Vista Motel (Gone)
Bel-Air Motel (Rem.)
Star Motel (Rem.)
Blue Bay Motel (Gone)
Northernaire Motel (Gone)
