Twi-Lite Motel (Demolished)
Wisconsin Dells, WI
Photo courtesy Dan Schuster

Here's a look at the Twi-Lite Motel in Wisconsin Dells, where the vintage roadside marquee is the real attraction. The sign has all the fun styling of a classic 1960s motel, making it easy to imagine families spotting it from U.S. 12 and deciding to spend the night. It probably looked even better once the neon came on after sunset. 12-06

The Twi-Lite was built during the heyday of roadside tourism in Wisconsin Dells, when independently owned motels lined the highway competing for vacationers. Its Populuxe-style sign fit the era perfectly and gave the motel plenty of personality among the many lodging choices along the strip.

UPDATE: The Twi-Lite Motel has since been demolished, and the classic roadside sign is gone as well. Hopefully it found its way into the hands of a sign collector, but its current whereabouts aren't known. 07-26

Saranay Motel (Demolished)
Royal Oak, MI
Photo courtesy Richard Weiss

Here's a look at the Saranay Motel in Royal Oak, where the roadside sign was every bit as memorable as the motel itself. With its stacked design and classic mid-century styling, it was hard to miss while driving along Woodward Avenue. Signs like this gave busy highways plenty of personality. 01-07

The Saranay opened in the late 1950s and welcomed generations of travelers cruising one of Michigan's best-known roads. Like many motels of the era, it proudly advertised modern comforts such as air conditioning, television, and tiled bathrooms—features that helped attract motorists looking for a comfortable night's stay.

For years, the motel and its sign remained a familiar sight along Woodward Avenue, especially during the annual Dream Cruise when thousands of classic cars filled the roadway. It's easy to see why the sign became a favorite among roadside enthusiasts.

UPDATE: The Saranay Motel has been demolished, and the vintage neon sign was removed during redevelopment of the property. An AutoZone now occupies the site, making old photographs like this one of the few reminders of this Woodward Avenue classic. 07-26

Seville Motel (Replaced)
Royal Oak, MI
Photo courtesy Richard Weiss

Next door to the old Saranay Motel sits the Seville Motel, another longtime roadside stop along Woodward Avenue. Back when this photo was taken, the original marquee had already been replaced with a modern plastic sign, but the motel still had plenty of mid-century character. The classic Pontiac Bonneville parked beneath the sign almost steals the show. 01-07

Built as a two-story motor court, the Seville has welcomed travelers along Woodward Avenue for decades. An added bonus is Monty's Grill next door, a local diner with roots that stretch back to the early 1960s, making it easy to grab breakfast without venturing far from your room.

While it's a shame the original roadside marquee didn't survive, the motel itself has managed to outlast many of its neighbors. That's becoming a rare sight along this busy stretch of Woodward.

UPDATE: The Seville Motel is still standing and continues to operate, although today it primarily serves extended-stay guests. The original vintage marquee is long gone, having been replaced by a modern backlit sign. 07-26

Roadside Businesses
Royal Oak, MI
Photo courtesy Richard Weiss

Here's a nice roadside scene from Woodward Avenue in Royal Oak, where a diner and two classic motels once stood side by side. On the left is Monty's Grill, while the Seville Motel sits just behind it. To the right, the familiar Saranay Motel sign rises above the roadway, creating the kind of roadside lineup that was once common along America's busiest highways. 01-07

Woodward Avenue was filled with independently owned motels that competed for travelers with colorful signs and convenient locations. This photo captures a slice of that era, when grabbing a meal and finding a room for the night could be done without ever leaving the same block.

Today, this view has changed quite a bit. The Saranay Motel is gone, the Seville's original marquee has been replaced, and even the diner has been updated over the years. Photos like this are a reminder of just how quickly the roadside landscape can change.

UPDATE: Monty's Grill is still serving customers, and the Seville Motel remains standing as an extended-stay property. The neighboring Saranay Motel has been demolished, and both vintage motel signs have disappeared from Woodward Avenue. 07-26

Badger Motel (Rem.)
Iron Belt, WI
Photo courtesy Tony Craig

Here's a look at the Badger Motel in Iron Belt, where the friendly badger on the roadside sign is impossible to miss. It's the kind of fun character that gave small-town motels a personality all their own, making it easy for travelers to remember exactly where they spent the night. 03-06

The Badger Motel has been welcoming guests since 1940 and remains a convenient stop along Highway 77 for visitors exploring northern Wisconsin. Over the years, the motel has been updated, but it continues to serve travelers heading into the region for fishing, snowmobiling, ATV riding, and other outdoor adventures.

It's a shame the original sign didn't survive. The illustrated badger was the kind of roadside mascot that added a little extra charm and made the motel stand out from the rest.

UPDATE: The Badger Motel is still open and continues to welcome travelers. The vintage badger sign has been replaced with a modern panel sign, leaving old photos like this to preserve one of northern Wisconsin's more memorable roadside characters. 07-26

Arch Motel (Closed)
Archbold, OH
Photo courtesy Rick McOmber

This old faded marquee stands outside the Arch Motel in Archbold, Ohio. Time hasn't been especially kind to the sign, but it still has enough roadside character to catch your eye along State Route 66. Weathered signs like this always make you wonder how many travelers have pulled in here over the years. 07-06

The Arch Motel was a small, independently owned motor court with just 14 rooms, serving motorists traveling through northwestern Ohio. Its location near Sauder Village made it a convenient overnight stop for visitors exploring the area, and it was one of those simple roadside places that did exactly what travelers needed.

Even with its faded paint, the old marquee still had plenty of personality. Sometimes a sign doesn't have to be perfect to be memorable.

UPDATE: The Arch Motel closed in 2023 and has remained vacant since. Fortunately, the weathered roadside sign is still standing, although the future of both the motel and the marquee remains uncertain. 07-26