Ship 'n Shore Motel
Saugatuck, MI
Photo 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.

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 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 courtesy Michael Sekeres

The Columbus Motor Lodge offered families more than a bed along East Main Street, part of Ohio’s historic National Road. Its postcard advertised a heated swimming pool, playground, guest laundry, and efficiency apartments. After a day on U.S. 40, that pool probably sounded pretty inviting. 02-09

Air-conditioned rooms included television and coffee, while nearby shopping, bowling, and restaurants gave guests reasons to linger. The property belonged to the roadside motel corridor established before Interstate 70 diverted through traffic. An exact opening date hasn’t been confirmed, but the postcard captures its family-vacation sales pitch nicely.

UPDATE: 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: Columbus Motor Lodge remains listed as operating on East Main Street. Its original sign has been replaced, while the older motor-lodge layout survives. Whether the advertised pool and playground remain available has not been confirmed. 07-26