El Rancho Motel
Twin Falls, ID
Photo courtesy Dave & Debra van Hulsteyn

The El Rancho Motel is one of many old motels that has transformed itself into longer-term lodging as chain hotels have taken over much of the overnight traveler market. Fortunately, the grand sign and big neon arrow still grace the property.

I've always been a fan of large motel arrows. They were designed to grab your attention from a distance and point you exactly where to go. Even today, it's hard to drive past a sign like this without taking a second look.

The sign is really what makes the El Rancho stand out. While many motels have lost their original roadside identity over the years, this one still manages to make an impression thanks to that giant arrow. 09-06

UPDATE: The El Rancho Motel remains standing today, although its focus has shifted from traditional tourist lodging to longer-term residential and extended-stay accommodations. Thankfully, the motel's vintage sign and iconic neon arrow are still hanging on, continuing to point the way for travelers along Addison Avenue. 06-26

Old Motel
Mountain Home, ID
Photo courtesy Dave & Debra van Hulsteyn

Check out the motel cabins at this old roadside property in Mountain Home, Idaho.

Back in the day, cabin courts like this were a common sight along America's highways. Instead of staying in a long row of connected rooms, travelers could rent their own individual cabin for the night. While that style of lodging has largely disappeared, it was once a big part of the roadside landscape.

What caught my attention here were the cabins themselves. By 2006, places like this were already becoming increasingly rare, making this a nice reminder of an earlier era of automobile travel. Unfortunately, I don't know the name of this motel, but sometimes the unknown places can be just as interesting as the famous ones. 09-06

UPDATE: I have not been able to determine the history or current status of this property. If anyone recognizes this motel or knows what became of it, feel free to share additional information. 06-26

Travelers Motel (Closed)
Boise, ID
Photo courtesy Dave & Debra van Hulsteyn

Here's an old faded sign that once stood at the Travelers Motel in Boise, Idaho. Check out the way that fish-looking leaf points the way toward the motel.

I've never quite figured out what that shape is supposed to be. Part fish, part leaf, part arrow maybe? Whatever it was intended to represent, it certainly gave the sign a look all its own. Even faded and weathered, it was still interesting enough to catch my attention.

Sometimes it's the unusual details that make a sign memorable. The Travelers Motel sign may not have been the brightest or most elaborate marquee in town, but it definitely wasn't one you'd confuse with any other. 09-06

UPDATE: The Travelers Motel is now permanently closed. After decades of serving travelers along Fairview Avenue, the aging property was ultimately shuttered and redevelopment plans have been proposed for the site. The future of the motel and its unusual roadside sign remains uncertain, making photographs like this an important reminder of a roadside business that has reached the end of its journey. 06-26

Mt. Lomond Motel
Ogden, UT
Photo courtesy Dave & Debra van Hulsteyn

Check out this standout sign at the Mt. Lomond Motel in Ogden, Utah. It's always great to find an old roadside sign still standing.

One thing that caught my eye was the old coffee shop portion of the marquee. Looking at the lettering, it appears that part of the sign may have once been illuminated with neon as well. It's hard not to wonder what the sign looked like back when everything was lit up and welcoming travelers off the highway.

The motel may not be flashy, but the sign certainly helps it stand out. It's another reminder of a time when independent motels relied on creative signage and a few advertised amenities to catch the attention of passing motorists. 09-06

UPDATE: The Mt. Lomond Motel remains in operation today, and fortunately the vintage roadside marquee survives as well. While the neon no longer appears to be operational, the sign continues to stand watch over the property and remains a familiar sight for travelers passing through the area. 06-26

Towles Motel (Rem.)
Jerome, ID
Photo courtesy Dave & Debra van Hulsteyn

The Towles Motel is an old motel in Jerome, Idaho that features quite a front overhang. When this photo was taken, the place looked like it had seen better days. In fact, it appeared the motel had closed, with portions of the property looking boarded up and abandoned.

What always stood out to me was that large overhang stretching across the front of the rooms. It's not something you see every day and gives the motel a look that is a little different from many of the other roadside properties from the same era. 09-06

UPDATE: Despite appearances at the time, the Towles Motel survived. The property remains standing and continues to operate primarily as an extended-stay lodging facility. The old sign is still there as well, although the original top panel has disappeared over the years. It may not be quite what it once was, but both the motel and sign are still hanging on. 06-26

Y Motel (Closed)
Blackfoot, ID
Photo courtesy Dave & Debra van Hulsteyn

The red arrow points the way to the front door and office of the Y Motel in Blackfoot, Idaho.

There is something I have always liked about signs that leave no doubt where you're supposed to go. If a traveler somehow missed the office, the giant red arrow was there to help. It's a simple design, but an effective one, and it gives the sign a little more personality than a standard motel marquee.

The Y Motel may not have had the flashiest sign on the highway, but the bright arrow certainly helped it stand out from the crowd. 09-06

UPDATE: The Y Motel remains standing today, although it appears to have largely transitioned away from traditional tourist lodging and toward long-term residential use. The old sign with its distinctive red arrow disappeared sometime before 2021 and another piece of Idaho roadside has now become a memory. 06-26