Luna Sea Motel (Gone)
Cocoa Beach, FL
Photo courtesy Carter Nixon

The Luna Sea Motel had one of those motel signs that almost made you forget to look at the building. With its scenic design and tropical colors, it fit right in with Cocoa Beach and the carefree feeling of Florida's Space Coast. It looked like the kind of place where a beach vacation began the moment you pulled into the parking lot. 02-09

The motel started life as part of the old Imperial 400 chain before becoming the independently operated Luna Sea Motel. Sitting just across from the Atlantic Ocean, it welcomed beachgoers for many years with a pool, efficiency rooms, and plenty of old Florida charm. The colorful marquee was a perfect match for the relaxed atmosphere of Cocoa Beach.

UPDATE: The Luna Sea Motel is gone, having been converted into an Econo Lodge. The scenic roadside sign was removed during the change. 07-26

Lucky Boy Motel
Hollywood, FL
Photo courtesy Alan Culley

The Lucky Boy Motel has one of those signs that makes you smile, even if it has seen better days. The neon may be gone, but the old marquee still has plenty of character with its clever horseshoe and wishbone design. It is the kind of sign that reminds you of a time when motel owners tried a little harder to make their place stand out from all the others. 02-09

Built during the early 1950s, the Lucky Boy is one of the few surviving independent motels left along this stretch of U.S. 1. While many of its neighbors have disappeared over the years, this little motel is still hanging on. The weathered sign may not glow anymore, but it still catches the eye and brings back memories of Florida's great roadside travel days.

UPDATE: The Lucky Boy Motel is still open, and its vintage roadside sign continues standing along Federal Highway, even if the neon no longer lights the way. 07-26

Luckey's Motel (Gone)
Dania Beach, FL
Photo courtesy Alan Culley

The Luckey's Motel appeared to be a very nice mom & pop type of location. Luckey's is located in the Florida town of Dania Beach. Check out the lucky green marquee which appears to be in great shape. Many thanks to Alan Culley for info. 02-09

Little independent motels like Luckey's were part of the roadside landscape for decades. They offered a straightforward place to spend the night and gave each stretch of highway its own personality. By the time this photo was taken, places like this were becoming fewer and farther between as older motels slowly disappeared from the roadside.

UPDATE: The Luckey's Motel has closed, and the old roadside sign has been removed. 07-26