Reeds Motel (Rem.)
Avon Park, FL
Photo courtesy Dirk Burhans

A diver frozen in midair is about the last thing you'd expect to see on a motel sign, which is exactly what made Reed's Motel so memorable. Perched high above the marquee, she looked ready to make a perfect dive into the swimming pool below. It was a clever bit of roadside advertising that probably had more than a few travelers reaching for the turn signal.

The motel opened in 1957 as the Bennett Motel before becoming Reed's Motel just a couple of years later. After a devastating fire in 1960, the property was rebuilt and continued welcoming motorists along U.S. 27. Somewhere along the way, the diving girl became its trademark, giving the motel one of the most recognizable signs in central Florida. Even the swimsuit changed with the times, from a modest one-piece to a bikini.

Reed's Motel (Rem.)
Avon Park, FL
Photo courtesy Alan Culley

UPDATE Reeds Motel is under new ownership and has been remodeled. It's one of the oldest motels in Avon Park, and can't be missed. It sits right on Hwy 27 and is known for it's big neon diver. The sign was destroyed during the 2004 hurricane season which hit our county, but the sign was brought back in its original form! The sign is back and is the same colors, same position and everything. A new gentleman bought the motel and has redone the entire thing, still basically the same set up but everything is new. Many thanks to Katrina Carroll for update. 08-06

UPDATE: (Left) Here's a photo of the Reed's Motel sign. This motel looks like a gem of a mom and pop type of motel. This is the restored sign after it received the storm damage described above during the 2004 hurricane season. Many thanks to Alan Culley for update. 02-09

The motel is still welcoming guests today, although the famous roadside diver no longer greets passing motorists. It was one of those signs that gave a place its own personality, and it made Reed's hard to forget.

UPDATE: Reed's Motel remains open, but the original diving girl sign has been removed from the roadside. 07-26

Casa Catalina Motel and Restaurant (Gone)
Dundee, FL
Photo courtesy Steve/Back on Tack

This sign for the Casa Catalina Motel and Restaurant was spotted in Dundee on US 27. The four-lane road that runs the length of central Florida was a popular tourist route called the Orange Blossom Trail. Citrus canker and early frosts have killed off some of the orange groves along it, but there is still ample opportunity to buy some Florida sunshine. Not far from the Catalina is Cypress Gardens, one of the states first tourist attractions. Many thanks to Steve/Back on Tack for info.

Built in the 1950s, the Casa Catalina sat at an important crossroads for visitors headed to attractions like Cypress Gardens and Bok Tower. Like many Florida motor courts of the era, it offered a swimming pool, shuffleboard, and an on-site restaurant, making it an easy stop for families exploring the state by car.

The motel itself has managed to survive through several name changes over the years, but the eye-catching neon sign wasn't as fortunate. Today the buildings continue serving travelers under a different name, while the old Casa Catalina sign has become another piece of Florida's vanished roadside landscape.

UPDATE: The former Casa Catalina Motel remains open as the OYO Hotel Dundee, but its classic roadside sign is gone. 07-26

Family Inn (Removed)
Sarasota, FL
Photo courtesy Steve/Back on Tack

The Family Inn offers sixteen rooms. For years it was known as the Imperial Motel. Red neon lights up around the crown at night. This is the place to be if you want to sleep like a king. (sic!) Many thanks to Steve/Back on Tack for info.

The Family Inn wasn't the fanciest motel on the North Trail, but its bright neon sign made sure you noticed it. With bold lettering and a classic arrow pointing the way, it fit right in with the long line of independent motels that once welcomed travelers into Sarasota along U.S. 41. It was another reminder of the days when every motel tried to have a little personality.

Built during Florida's roadside travel boom, the Family Inn offered a simple place to spend the night just a short drive from Sarasota's beaches and attractions. Like many mom-and-pop motels of the era, the rooms were arranged in a single-story layout with parking right outside the door, making it an easy stop for motorists exploring the Gulf Coast.

The motel has outlasted many of its neighbors and continues to welcome guests today. Unfortunately, the vintage neon sign that once gave the property its roadside charm has disappeared, replaced by a much more ordinary modern sign.

UPDATE: Unfortunately, the sign with the crown on top is no more. In its place is a generic rectangular sign. 02-09

UPDATE: The Family Inn remains open, but its classic neon sign has been removed. 07-26

Allamanda Motel (Rem.)
Sarasota, FL
Photo courtesy Steve/Back on Tack

Driving Sarasota's North Trail used to mean passing one colorful motel after another, each trying to catch the eye of passing motorists. The Allamanda Motel had no trouble doing just that. Its bright neon sign, with tropical script lettering set against bold geometric panels, was exactly the kind of roadside attraction that made this stretch of U.S. 41 so memorable after dark. It looked like it belonged in Florida.

Originally opened in the early 1950s as the Floridora Motel, the property became the Allamanda Motel in 1956. Like many mom-and-pop motels of the era, it offered a mix of standard rooms and efficiency units for guests staying a little longer. The location was ideal for vacationers heading to Sarasota's beaches, the Ringling Museum, or simply exploring Florida one highway at a time.

Allamanda Motel (Rem.)
Sarasota, FL
Photo courtesy Georg Balandran

While many of the North Trail's classic motels have disappeared, the Allamanda continues to welcome travelers much as it has for decades. Even better, the vintage neon sign still stands along the highway, giving today's visitors a glimpse of what this famous motel strip once looked like.

UPDATE: The Allamanda Motel remains open. The sign was removed around 2021 and replaced with a more modern plain sign. 07-26