Lincoln Motel (Gone)
Chicago, IL Photo courtesy Don Gardner
Lincoln Motel in Chicago, Illinois still points the wayward traveler toward its lodging with one of the more memorable motel signs along Lincoln Avenue. Built in 1958, the motel features a grand neon marquee with a big swooping arrow that makes it hard to miss. If you drove by, you knew exactly where to turn.
Back in the days before the Edens Expressway changed traffic patterns, Lincoln Avenue (U.S. 41) was one of the main routes into Chicago. The corridor became known as "Motel Row," lined with independent motels that catered to travelers heading into the city. The Lincoln Motel fit right in, using its bold neon sign to stand out from the competition and welcome weary motorists.
Like many roadside motels, the Lincoln couldn't escape changing times. The property was acquired by the City of Chicago as part of a redevelopment effort, and both the motel and its famous sign were demolished in 2007. Today, the former site has been transformed into a neighborhood community garden, making it hard to imagine this stretch of Lincoln Avenue once glowed with neon.
UPDATE: The Lincoln Motel was demolished in November 2007 after being condemned. An empty lot remains. 09-17
UPDATE: The Lincoln Motel and its classic neon arrow are gone following the 2007 demolition. Not sure if any part of the sign was saved before the wrecking crews moved in. 07-26
Heart O Chicago Motel (Closed)
Chicago, IL Photo by RoadsidePeek.com
Heart O' Chicago Motel in Chicago, Illinois features one of the most patriotic motel signs you'll find anywhere. Painted in bright red, white, and blue, the eye-catching marquee looks right at home around Independence Day, but it's a standout attraction any time of year along Lincoln Avenue.
Built in 1957, the Heart O' Chicago was one of the best-known stops on Chicago's historic "Motel Row" along U.S. Route 41. Before the expressways diverted traffic away from the city, Lincoln Avenue was lined with independent motels welcoming travelers from the north. The Heart O' Chicago became one of the corridor's longest-lasting survivors, and its colorful roadside sign helped make it one of the easiest to spot.
The motel's towering sign is classic roadside Americana, with its bold patriotic color scheme and heart-shaped logo welcoming guests for decades. While many of its neighboring motels disappeared as the years passed, the Heart O' Chicago remained a familiar landmark, reminding motorists of an era when independent motor courts lined the nation's highways.
In 2024, the City of Chicago purchased the property and converted the former motel into a temporary emergency shelter, bringing an end to nearly 70 years of traditional lodging. Fortunately, the iconic sign still stands, offering a colorful reminder of Lincoln Avenue's once-famous Motel Row.
UPDATE: The motel is no longer operating as a traditional motel after its 2024 sale to the City of Chicago, but the classic red, white, and blue sign is still standing. Hopefully it remains part of the streetscape for years to come. 07-26
Patio Motel (Gone)
Chicago, IL Photo courtesy Devil Doll
Here's a nice look at the old Patio Motel in Chicago, where the afternoon sun really makes the bulb-covered sign stand out. The rows of lights and simple lettering would have been hard to miss along Lincoln Avenue, especially after dark. That sign probably sold more than a few rooms over the years. The motel dates to the mid-1950s. 07-23
Built around 1953, the Patio Motel was one of several independent motor courts that lined Lincoln Avenue when it was a major route into Chicago. The motel featured 31 drive-up units arranged around a traditional parking courtyard and was originally promoted with the slogan, "An Adventure in Living."
UPDATE: The Patio Motel and its cool sign are now just a memory. The sign slowly disappeared and the motel is now the North Park Inn. 09-17
UPDATE: The old Patio Motel is still standing, but it now operates as the North Park Inn after a major renovation and rebranding. Unfortunately, the original bulb-covered sign is gone, which is a shame since it gave the motel plenty of roadside personality. 07-26
Apache Motel
Chicago, IL Photo courtesy Devil Doll
Chicago's Lincoln Avenue is home to the Apache Motel, one of the few vintage motels still welcoming travelers along the old "Motel Row." The tall marquee is the real attention-getter here, especially the detailed geometric design at the top that gives the sign a little extra personality. It's easy to see why this one catches your eye as you drive by. Built in 1967, the Apache is one of the newer motels from Lincoln Avenue's roadside heyday.
Unlike many of its neighbors, the Apache has managed to survive decades of redevelopment along Lincoln Avenue. At one time, this stretch of road was lined with independently owned motels, each trying to outdo the next with eye-catching signs and plenty of neon. Today, only a handful remain, making survivors like this one even more fun to spot.
The motel opened at the tail end of Chicago's motel-building boom, but it still captures the look and feel of that era. The clean lines of the sign and its decorative top give it a style that's a little different from many of the larger arrow-and-starburst signs that once lined the avenue. It's proof that a motel sign didn't have to be flashy to leave an impression.
Apache Motel (Near right view)
Chicago, IL Photo courtesy Devil Doll
The Apache is still family owned and continues to serve travelers much as it has for decades. While the motel has been updated over the years, the vintage marquee remains out front, offering a nice reminder of the days when a great sign was often all it took to fill a few rooms for the night. It's always nice to see one still around.
UPDATE: The Apache Motel is still open and continues to operate along Lincoln Avenue. Better yet, the vintage roadside marquee is still standing, making it one of the few surviving motel signs from Chicago's old Motel Row. 07-26
Seville Motel (Demolished)
Chicago, IL Photo courtesy Jason Carlton
Here's a look at the Seville Motel in Chicago, where the roadside sign does a great job of telling passing motorists exactly what they're getting. The bold marquee advertises air conditioning, television, and switchboard service—modern conveniences when the motel opened in 1958. Signs like this didn't leave much to the imagination, and that's part of their charm.
The Seville was one of many independent motels that welcomed travelers arriving by car. Its clean mid-century design fit right in with the roadside architecture of the day, but the sign was what really caught your eye. Between the oversized lettering and the list of amenities, it probably sold plenty of rooms over the years.
UPDATE: The Seville Motel and its sign are now gone. The place is an empty lot. 09-17
UPDATE: The Seville Motel was destroyed by a devastating fire in 2011 and was demolished shortly afterward. Unfortunately, the motel's distinctive roadside sign was lost as well, leaving old photographs like this as one of the few reminders it was ever there. 07-26
Lincoln Motel (Gone)
Heart O Chicago Motel (Closed)
Apache Motel
Seville Motel (Demolished)
