Ship 'n Shore Motel
Saugatuck, MI Photo and info courtesy Alan Culley
The Ship 'n Shore Motel sits right on the banks of the Kalamazoo River, just a block off the old U.S. 31 alignment through downtown Saugatuck. It's a great spot to relax and watch a steady stream of pleasure boats heading between the downtown docks and Lake Michigan. 12-08
Unlike most roadside motels, the Ship 'n Shore has long catered to both motorists and boaters, offering riverfront rooms and marina dockage. Today it continues to operate as a waterfront hotel, complete with boat slips, a pool, and an outdoor restaurant overlooking the river.
While the sign is fairly simple, it's still a familiar landmark welcoming visitors to one of Michigan's favorite summer towns.
UPDATE: The Ship 'n Shore remains open and continues to welcome both boaters and travelers. The property has been updated over the years, but the riverfront setting is just as enjoyable as ever. 07-26
Rose Dale Motel (Gone)
Rochester, IN Photo and info courtesy Alan Culley
The Rose Dale Motel was one of those small mom-and-pop motels that lined old U.S. 31 before the four-lane highway bypassed Rochester. Even after through traffic moved elsewhere, the motel managed to hang on, welcoming travelers for many more years. The roadside sign proudly advertised the place as "Modern All Year," a familiar selling point during the heyday of roadside travel. 02-09
Over the years, the motel was renamed the Rochester Motel, and the original Rose Dale sign disappeared. While the vintage marquee is gone, the motel itself continues to operate, making it one of the survivors from Rochester's old highway days.
UPDATE: The motel remains open today as the Rochester Motel. The classic Rose Dale sign has been removed, but the property continues serving travelers along the old U.S. 31 corridor. 07-26
Campbell's Motel (Gone)
Scottsburg, IN Photo courtesy Alan Culley
The Campbell's Motel was a familiar stop for travelers along old U.S. 31 in Scottsburg. While the motel itself was fairly typical of the era, its sign definitely wasn't. Topped with a large camel, the marquee was hard to miss and gave the property one of the more memorable roadside identities in southern Indiana. Below the camel, the sign proudly proclaimed it to be "A Superior Motel." 02-09
Like many mom-and-pop motels, Campbell's eventually gave way to changing times. The property survives today, but it now operates as HavenPointe Inn & Suites after a complete modernization. Unfortunately, the distinctive camel sign didn't make the transition.
UPDATE: The former Campbell's Motel remains in business under the HavenPointe Inn & Suites name. The vintage camel marquee has been removed, leaving old photos and postcards as reminders of one of Scottsburg's most distinctive roadside signs. 07-26
Wishing Well Motel
Whiteland, IN Photo courtesy Alan Culley
The Wishing Well Motel has one of those signs that's almost impossible to drive past without taking a second look. The bright colors and wishing well graphic give it plenty of personality, making it one of the standout motel signs still found along old U.S. 31 in Whiteland. 02-09
The motel dates back to the 1950s and still has the classic single-story, drive-up layout that was so common during the golden age of roadside travel. While much of this stretch of U.S. 31 has changed over the years, the Wishing Well has managed to survive, along with its colorful vintage marquee.
UPDATE: The Wishing Well Motel remains open today, and its eye-catching roadside sign is still greeting travelers along old U.S. 31. It's one of the few reminders of the mom-and-pop motels that once lined this busy highway. 07-26
Columbus Motor Lodge (Rem.)
Columbus, OH Postcard and info courtesy Michael Sekeres
The Columbus Motor Lodge was one of the many roadside motels that welcomed travelers along East Main Street, part of the historic National Road through Columbus. This vintage postcard captures the motel during its heyday, when independent motor lodges like this were a familiar sight on cross-country road trips.
The motel is still standing today and continues to operate as a budget-friendly lodging option. While the classic mid-century layout remains, the original roadside sign has been replaced over the years, taking away one of the property's most distinctive features. It's also not clear if amenities like the old swimming pool are still around.
According to the back of the postcard, the Columbus Motor Lodge is located at 3984 E. Main St. Route 40, in Columbus, Ohio. The motel features "Air Conditioned, Family Accommodations, Complete Efficiency Apt's. Playground. New Beautiful Heated Swimming Pool. Guest Laundromat. Nicely Appointed Rooms with T.V. and Room Coffee. Nearby Shopping Center, Bowling, and Fine Restaurants. Phone 237-5485". Many thanks to Michael Sekeres for info. 02-09
UPDATE: The Columbus Motor Lodge remains open along East Main Street. Although the vintage sign is gone, the property continues serving travelers while preserving a piece of Columbus' roadside history. 07-26
Alamo Motel (Demolished)
Columbus, OH Postcard and info courtesy Michael Sekeres
The Alamo Motel was one of the many independent motels that once welcomed travelers along East Main Street, part of the historic National Road through the Columbus area. During the heyday of roadside travel, this stretch of U.S. 40 was lined with motels, restaurants, and attractions catering to families crossing Ohio by car.
What really set the Alamo apart was its unique roadside sign. Topped with a large carriage wheel, the marquee had plenty of personality and stood out among the sea of motel signs that once lined the highway. It was the kind of sign that caught your eye long before GPS and online booking sites did the advertising.
As interstate travel gradually pulled motorists away from the old highway, motels like the Alamo struggled to keep up. The property eventually closed and was demolished, ending another chapter of roadside history along the National Road. Today, nothing remains of the motel or its distinctive sign.
The back of the postcard reads: "Remember the ALAMO MOTEL
15 minutes from downtown. Radiant heat, air conditioning. Free television, 20 modern air conditioned units, room phones, and wall to wall carpeting. Some connecting rooms and cribs. Excellent restaurants near by. AAA approved. Phone BE 1-3651
East on U. S. Rt. #40,
3855 E. Main St., Columbus, Ohio". Many thanks to Michael Sekeres for info. 02-09
UPDATE: The Alamo Motel has long since disappeared, and the property has been cleared. While the carriage wheel marquee is gone, vintage postcards and photographs preserve the memory of one of the many mom-and-pop motels that once lined East Main Street. 07-26
Alamo Motel (Demolished)
Columbus, OH Postcard and info courtesy Michael Sekeres
Ship 'n Shore Motel
Campbell's Motel (Gone)
