Stardust Motel
Greenville, OH
Photo courtesy Alan Culley

Here's an old mid-century motel sign with a name that couldn't be more fitting. The Stardust Motel in Greenville still shows off its colorful roadside marquee, complete with sweeping script lettering that looks right at home on a classic motel sign. It's easy to imagine how this one grabbed the attention of travelers after dark. 09-08

The Stardust is a traditional roadside motel with a simple single-story layout that's become increasingly uncommon. While many motels from this era have disappeared, this one continues to welcome travelers and has managed to hold onto its best feature—the sign out front.

The name alone is enough to make you smile. Pair it with a colorful neon marquee, and you've got the kind of roadside attraction that's always worth slowing down for.

UPDATE: The Stardust Motel is still open and continues to welcome travelers along State Route 49. Better yet, the vintage neon sign is still standing, making it one of the nicer surviving motel signs in western Ohio. 07-26

The Elwood Court (Gone)
Elwood, IN
Photo and info courtesy Alan Culley

Here's a look at The Elwood Court in Elwood, Indiana. Even in this photo, the old roadside sign shows its age, but it's easy to imagine how impressive it must have looked when the neon was still glowing. By the time this picture was taken, much of the sign had already disappeared, leaving only hints of what was once there. 12-08

The Elwood Court welcomed motorists along State Road 37 during the heyday of roadside travel. Like many independent motels of the era, it advertised comfortable accommodations with all the conveniences travelers expected after a long day behind the wheel. The old matchbooks promoting the motel even summed it up perfectly: "After A Long Day's Drive."

It's especially disappointing to compare this daytime photo with earlier nighttime views of the sign. Even in its fading years, you could still see flashes of the motel's former personality.

UPDATE: The Elwood Court no longer operates as a motel and has been converted into apartments. The old roadside sign has since been removed, bringing an end to another classic piece of roadside Americana. 07-26

San Bar Motel (Gone)
St Ignace, MI
Photo and info courtesy Alan Culley

Here's another roadside stop from St. Ignace. The San-Bar Motel is a clean-looking little motor court located just north of downtown, making it a convenient place for travelers exploring the Mackinac area. It may not have the flashiest sign on the highway, but it has the kind of welcoming look that's always been part of the appeal of independent motels. 12-08

Its location near the ferry docks and downtown restaurants made the San-Bar a popular stop for visitors heading to Mackinac Island or spending a night in St. Ignace. Like many family-run motels, it offered a simple place to stay without all the extras found at the larger chain hotels. Check out the advertisement for gold tokens. I wonder what those would be used for.

UPDATE: The San-Bar Motel has since closed, and the old roadside sign has been removed. It's another reminder of how many of these independent motels have quietly disappeared from Michigan's roadside landscape. Seems like most of the ones from a couple of decades past are now gone. 07-26

Riviera Motel (Rem.)
Mackinaw City, MI
Photo and info courtesy Alan Culley

Here's a look at the Riviera Motel in Mackinaw City. The vintage roadside sign has managed to survive years of wind, snow, and everything else the Straits can throw at it. One of the best details is the old "Color TV" lettering that's still part of the marquee—a fun reminder of a time when color television was something worth advertising. 12-08

The Riviera sits along the Lake Huron shoreline with great views of the Mackinac Bridge. Family owned and independently operated, it continues to welcome travelers looking for a classic motel experience in one of Michigan's most scenic locations.

It's always fun to spot little details like the "Color TV" lettering. Long after color televisions became standard, the sign kept proudly advertising what was once considered a major luxury.

UPDATE: The Riviera Motel is still open. The old sign has been gone for years. 07-26

The Cedars Motel
St Ignace, MI
Photo courtesy Alan Culley

Here's a look at The Cedars Motel in St. Ignace, another independently owned roadside motel that's still welcoming travelers today. The retro sign has a classic look that's right at home along Business Loop I-75, and it's always nice to find one that's been so well cared for. 12-08

The Cedars has been a favorite stop for visitors exploring the Mackinac area for many years. Its comfortable, cabin-inspired rooms and friendly atmosphere have helped it remain a popular alternative to the larger chain hotels. Some of the rooms even feature stone fireplaces, giving the motel a little extra north woods character.

It's places like this that remind you why independently owned motels are worth seeking out. Every one has its own personality, and The Cedars has managed to keep both its roadside charm and its welcoming feel.

UPDATE: The Cedars Motel is still open and continues to welcome travelers to St. Ignace. Better yet, the vintage roadside sign is still standing and remains one of the nicer surviving motel signs in the area. 07-26

Vitek's Motel (Gone)
St Ignace, MI
Photo courtesy Alan Culley

Check out the colorful roadside sign for Vitek's Motel in St. Ignace. The bright panels across the top are the first thing that catch your eye, giving the sign plenty of personality without relying on lots of neon. It's the kind of motel sign that probably had more than a few drivers taking a second look. Not sure what the reference to "tokens" on sign are for. Are they referring to the mattresses? 12-08

One interesting detail is the word "Tokens" on the marquee. It wasn't referring to the mattresses as it might seem at first glance. Instead, it advertised complimentary casino tokens, a popular promotion offered by several St. Ignace motels to encourage guests to visit the nearby casino.

Vitek's was a longtime family-operated motel with a mix of traditional motel rooms and cabins, making it a familiar stop for travelers heading through the Mackinac area. Like many independently owned motels, it developed its own personality over the years, and the colorful sign became part of that identity.

UPDATE: Vitek's Motel has been remodeled and now operates as the Firehouse Inn. Unfortunately, the colorful roadside sign didn't survive the transition, making photos like this a nice reminder of another classic St. Ignace motel. 07-26