Weasku Inn
Grants Pass, OR
Photo courtesy Dave & Debra van Hulsteyn

The Weasku Inn has a roadside sign that's every bit as inviting as the historic resort behind it. Standing along the Rogue River Highway just outside Grants Pass, the marquee has been welcoming travelers for generations and still does the job beautifully today. 03-06

The inn began welcoming guests in the 1920s as a riverside fishing retreat, and before long it became a favorite getaway for Hollywood stars looking to escape the spotlight. Over the years the property has been carefully restored, preserving its rustic log lodge, beautiful setting, and classic roadside character.

The sign fits the resort perfectly. It's not flashy, but it has the timeless look of a place that's been greeting travelers for decades. Seeing it from the road makes you want to pull in and see what's waiting beyond the entrance.

UPDATE: The Weasku Inn remains open as one of Oregon's best-preserved historic resorts. Its restored roadside marquee continues to welcome visitors along the Rogue River Highway. 07-26

Biltmor Motel
Tukwila, WA
Photo courtesy Jeffrey Cook

It's hard to drive past the Biltmor Motel without noticing that giant swooping arrow. Rising above Highway 99, the sign is one of those classic roadside creations that seems determined to steer travelers right into the parking lot. 11-07

The sign has another little quirk, too. Although the motel is officially the Biltmore Motel, the marquee has always spelled it "Biltmor." Whether it was intentional or simply the way the sign was designed, it's become part of the motel's personality over the years.

Even today, the Biltmor's towering sign remains one of the more recognizable survivors along the old highway. It's the kind of roadside landmark that reminds you just how creative motel signs could be during the golden age of automobile travel.

UPDATE: The Biltmor Motel remains open, and its distinctive roadside sign continues to welcome travelers along Highway 99. 07-26

Holiday Resort Motel (Demolished)
Seattle, WA
Photo courtesy Jeffrey Cook

One thing that immediately catches your eye is the unusual way the Holiday Resort Motel sign spells "MOTEL" from the bottom up instead of the top down. It's a small detail, but one that gives this roadside marquee a personality all its own. 11-07

Located along old Highway 99 north of Seattle, the Holiday Resort was one of many motels that welcomed travelers before Interstate 5 changed the flow of traffic. The buildings may have been fairly typical, but the sign was anything but. Sometimes a clever design was all it took to make a motel memorable.

Today it's little details like this that make old roadside photos so much fun to revisit. You don't often see signs willing to do something a little different.

UPDATE: The Holiday Resort Motel on US 99 19250 Aurora Avenue N is gone. Demolished. Looks like new construction took over and a Richmond Cove building is now on site. 04-17

UPDATE: The motel is long gone, and the property now operates as the Holiday Resort & Mobile Park. Its distinctive roadside marquee has been removed. 07-26

Bridge Motel (Demolished)
Seattle, WA
Photo courtesy Jim Zahniser

The old Bridge Motel sign offered a bit of roadside advice that always made me smile: "Sleep off the hiway." Whether travelers took that suggestion or not, it was the kind of memorable slogan that gave this small motel a personality all its own. 01-08

Tucked just off Aurora near the north end of the bridge into Seattle, the motel looked like it had been welcoming weary motorists for decades. The vertical "M-O-T-E-L" sign and weathered appearance made it feel like a survivor from another era, even as it was nearing the end of its life.

Sometimes the smallest motels leave the biggest impressions. This one wasn't flashy, but between its classic sign and unforgettable tagline, it was hard to drive past without taking notice.

UPDATE: The Bridge Motel originally opened for business in 1954. The motel closed in 2007. 04-17

UPDATE: The Bridge Motel closed and was demolished in 2007. Townhomes now occupy the site, and the familiar roadside sign is gone. 07-26

Aircrest Motel
Port Angeles, WA
Photo courtesy Jim Zahniser

The Aircrest Motel has one of those signs that's almost impossible to miss. Its oversized geometric design and distinctive lettering make it a real standout along Highway 101 as travelers head through Port Angeles. 01-08

Located just a short drive from both the Olympic National Park entrance and the ferry to Victoria, British Columbia, the Aircrest has been welcoming road trippers for decades. The motel itself has seen its share of updates over the years, but the eye-catching marquee still gives it plenty of vintage roadside appeal.

It's signs like this that remind you how much thought once went into attracting the attention of passing motorists. Even today, the Aircrest remains one of the more memorable motel stops on Washington's Olympic Peninsula.

UPDATE: The Aircrest Motel is still open, and its classic roadside marquee continues to greet travelers along Highway 101. 07-26