Waller's Motel
Hammett, ID Photo courtesy Tony Craig
The sign for Waller's Motel still stands along old U.S. Route 30 near Hammett, Idaho. Time has not been kind to it. The paint is badly faded and peeling, but the sign remains a reminder of the days when small roadside motels served travelers crossing southern Idaho. What caught my attention in this scene wasn't just the motel sign, but the old Hammett Trading Post sitting across the road. Together they create a glimpse of an earlier era of highway travel, when places like Hammett offered fuel, food, lodging, and a place to rest before continuing down the road.
UPDATE: The motel itself is gone, but the weathered sign remains standing along the highway. Across the road, the old Hammett Trading Post building still survives as well, though it is no longer operating. It's the kind of roadside scene I always enjoy finding—a few remaining pieces of a place that was once much busier than it is today. 06-26
A close up of the Waller's marquee still standing weather beaten off the side of the road
Evergreen Gables Motel
Idaho Falls, ID Photo courtesy Tony Craig
The Evergreen Gables Motel always struck me as being perfectly suited for its surroundings. The pine tree-shaped marquee looks right at home here and adds to the rustic feel of the property. It's the kind of sign that immediately tells you something about the place before you ever pull into the parking lot. I've always appreciated motel signs that tie into their environment. In this case, the pine tree design works especially well, giving the property a distinctly Idaho feel. Combined with the motel buildings and the setting, it's easy to see why this place stood out from the typical roadside motel.
UPDATE: The Evergreen Gables Motel remains in operation in Idaho Falls, and the distinctive pine tree marquee is still standing out front. With so many vintage motel signs disappearing over the years, it's always nice to come across one that continues to welcome travelers just as it has for decades. 06-26
Evergreen Gables Motel
Photo courtesy Dave & Debra van Hulsteyn
UPDATE 09/06 : To the far right is a shot of the Evergreen Gables Motel marquee lit up. 09-06
Mel-Haven Lodge
Colorado Springs, CO Photo courtesy Tony Craig
This sign for the Mel-Haven Lodge is a great example of what unique motel marquees were all about. Check out the sailboat riding atop the sign and the bright colors used to catch the attention of weary motorists dreaming of rest and relaxation.
I've always liked signs that tell a story. A sailboat may seem a little out of place in Colorado Springs, but that's exactly what makes this one memorable. The combination of the boat, the waves, and the colorful design gave the motel a personality that set it apart from the countless generic lodging signs found along America's highways.
UPDATE: The Mel-Haven Lodge continues to operate along West Colorado Avenue, and remarkably, the colorful sailboat sign remains standing out front. It's the kind of sign that instantly transports you back to the golden age of roadside travel, when motel owners weren't afraid to get creative to catch the eye of passing travelers. 06-26
Covey Motel
Salt Lake City, UT Courtesy Wes Cross
Here's a 40-year-old postcard of Covey's New America Motel in Salt Lake City. I'm not sure how many travelers pulled off the road because of the sign, but it certainly had all the ingredients to get their attention. The towering marquee was impossible to miss and helped make the property one of the more recognizable roadside landmarks in the city.
Opened in 1952, Covey's grew into one of Salt Lake City's best-known motor hotels. The sprawling complex catered to the postwar automobile traveler and featured amenities that went well beyond a simple overnight stop. Judging from this postcard, the sign was every bit as ambitious as the motel itself.
UPDATE: Covey's New America Motel is long gone, and the property has been completely redeveloped. Today, the site is home to the Grand America Hotel. The motel buildings and the towering neon marquee have disappeared, but postcards like this offer a glimpse of a time when giant signs and roadside hospitality helped define the American travel experience. 06-26
6& 40 Motel (Rem.)
Idaho Springs, CO Photo courtesy Jason Carlton
Here's an old motel sign found in Idaho Springs. Check out the lettering and shapes on this Googie-style sign for the 6 & 40 Motel. The unusual design and multi-shaped panels gave the sign a personality all its own and made it stand out from the typical motel marquees found along Colorado highways.
Located along the old U.S. 6 and U.S. 40 corridors, the motel catered to generations of travelers heading into or out of the Rockies. Signs like this were designed to grab your attention in an instant, and the combination of bold lettering, geometric shapes, and mid-century styling accomplished exactly that.
UPDATE: The 6 & 40 Motel remains in business, but the sign that made the property memorable is gone. The distinctive Googie marquee was removed and replaced with a plastic sign, bringing an end to one of Idaho Springs' more interesting roadside landmarks. It's a shame, because signs like this aren't being built anymore, and once they're gone, they're gone for good. 09-17
Evergreen Gables Motel
Evergreen Gables Motel
Mel-Haven Lodge
Covey Motel
6& 40 Motel (Rem.)
