Gem Motel (Demolished)
Gem, IN
Photo courtesy Emily Steele

The sparkle faded long ago at the Gem Motel in Gem, Indiana. Sitting along old U.S. Highway 40, this little roadside motel had clearly seen better days by the time this photo was taken. Even in its worn-out condition, it was still an interesting reminder of the days when America's highways were lined with independently owned motor courts.

The Gem Motel was one of many family-run stops that catered to travelers making their way along the National Road during the postwar travel boom. Historic postcards show the motel advertising kitchenettes, making it a good choice for families spending more than a night on the road. Like so many motels along U.S. 40, business gradually faded after Interstate 70 drew traffic away from the old highway.

UPDATE: The Gem Motel has since been demolished, and the old roadside sign is gone as well. Today there's little left to remind travelers that another small roadside motel once welcomed guests along the National Road. 07-26

Arrowhead Motel (Gone)
Wisconsin Dells, WI
Photo courtesy Don Gardner

Here are a couple of motels named the Arrowhead Motel. The Wisconsin Dells version was in fantastic shape when this photo was taken, and the colorful marquee appears to be made of porcelain enamel. With its bright colors and bold design, it probably looked even better when the neon was glowing after dark.

The Arrowhead Motel was one of many independent motels that welcomed vacationers visiting Wisconsin Dells during the highway travel boom. While plenty of motels came and went over the years, this one stood out thanks to its eye-catching sign. Sometimes a great marquee is all it takes to make a place memorable, and this one certainly did its job.

The motel was operated for many years by John and Loretta Halcarz, who purchased the property in 1969 after moving from Chicago. They ran the motel for two decades before it eventually changed hands and took on a different purpose.

UPDATE: The Arrowhead Motel is no longer operating as a motel. The property has been repurposed, and while the original sign structure is still standing, it has been heavily altered. The colorful porcelain finish has been painted over, and much of the original marquee has been replaced, making it a shadow of what it once was. 07-26

Shelton Inn (Demolished)
Peru, IN
Photo courtesy Emily Steele

This motel in Peru still features its distinctive sloping roof and advertises itself with a sign built right into the rooftop. Shelton Inn didn't need a towering roadside marquee to get noticed. The unique roofline and rooftop sign gave it plenty of character all on their own.

Located along the old Business U.S. 31 corridor through town, the Shelton Inn welcomed travelers looking for a convenient place to spend the night. The steep roof made it stand out from the typical roadside motels of the era, and it's easy to see why it caught Emily Steele's attention. Sometimes it's the simple architectural touches that make a motel memorable.

UPDATE: Unfortunately, the Shelton Inn is no longer around. The motel has been demolished, and the rooftop sign disappeared along with the building. Today the site is an empty lot, leaving this photo as a reminder of another small roadside motel that's been lost. 07-26

Star Motel (Demolished)
Wisconsin Dells, WI
Photo courtesy Don Gardner

The Star Motel in Wisconsin Dells has a sign that looks an awful lot like the classic Holiday Inn marquee from the 1960s. Whether it was meant as a tribute or simply inspired by the famous design, it's hard not to notice the resemblance. For an independent motel, borrowing a little style from one of the biggest names in roadside lodging probably wasn't a bad idea.

During the 1960s and 1970s, quite a few independent motels put up signs that echoed the look of Holiday Inn's famous "Great Sign." The Star Motel was one of them, giving passing motorists something familiar to spot along the busy Wisconsin Dells Parkway. Even if it wasn't an original, it still had plenty of roadside appeal and fit right in with the colorful motel strip.

UPDATE: The Star Motel is gone as an independent motel after becoming part of the Mt. Olympus resort complex. The old Holiday Inn-style sign was removed during the conversion, and the property now operates as Mykonos Village. It's a shame the sign didn't survive. 07-26

Overpass Motel
Winchester, IN
Photo courtesy Steve Felder

The Overpass Motel is getting lit up for another evening of work. Sitting at the intersection of U.S. 27 and State Road 32 in Winchester, the old roadside sign still shines brightly and does a fine job of welcoming travelers after dark. It's always nice to find one that's still doing what it was built to do.

The motel has been a familiar sight to motorists for decades, and for many years it was owned and operated by Kenneth and Doris Girton. While a modern hotel was built next door in 2007, the original motel wasn't torn down. Instead, the classic drive-up rooms were kept in service, giving guests a choice between the newer hotel or the old motor court. It's a great example of an older roadside motel finding a way to survive without losing its identity.

Of course, the real star is the sign. It has all the character you'd hope to find on an old highway, and seeing it glowing at dusk makes it easy to imagine what this intersection looked like years ago when every town had a few motels competing for the night's business.