Tucson Inn (Demolished)
Tucson, AZ Photo by RoadsidePeek.com
Here’s a nighttime look at the glowing marquee for the Tucson
Inn along the old Miracle Mile. With its giant arrow, hundreds of bulbs, and colorful neon lettering, this was not a sign that quietly waited to be noticed.
The Tucson Inn opened in 1953 as one of the largest and fanciest motor hotels along Tucson’s highway strip. Its 65 rooms were joined by a heated swimming pool, coffee shop, and formal restaurant. Western movie stars working at Old Tucson Studios stayed here, and Ernest Hemingway was reportedly among its well-known guests.The motel was designed by Anne Jackson Rysdale, Arizona’s only registered female architect at the time. Its clean modern lines and enormous neon sign made it a fine example of the roadside architecture that once welcomed travelers arriving on US 80 and US 89.
After the motel closed, Pima Community College purchased the property in 2018. The neon marquee was restored with about 800 feet of tubing, 22 transformers, and nearly 800 bulbs, then ceremoniously relighted in December 2022. Now that is a lot of electricity just to say “vacancy.”
UPDATE: Unfortunately, the Tucson Inn was closed in May 2017 due to various building violations. In speaking with the owner Susie Lin, she hopes to reopen in the fall or perhaps may retire as she is reaching nearly 40 years of ownership. In either case, she believes that the iconic sign will remain. Here's hoping for a reopening. 09-17
UPDATE: Despite its place in the Miracle Mile Historic District, the Tucson Inn was demolished in April 2025 following a lengthy preservation dispute. The restored neon sign was spared and remains standing at the former motel site. 08-26
See more at Roadside Peek's Lost Treasures feature on the Tucson Inn.
Ghost Ranch Lodge (Closed)
Tucson, AZ Photo by RoadsidePeek.com
The glowing cattle skull outside the Ghost Ranch Lodge could be a welcome sight during a late-night drive along Tucson’s Miracle Mile. Just be prepared to show some identification before getting a room. This was no ghostly free-for-all.
The lodge opened in 1941 on about eight acres of desert land. Architect Josias Joesler designed its low adobe cottages and Southwestern buildings, while the grounds were filled with cactus gardens, palms, and other desert plants. It was more of a roadside resort than a simple place to sleep.
Founder Arthur Pack had ties to artist Georgia O’Keeffe, and the lodge adopted a cattle-skull logo based on her famous Southwestern artwork. The skull eventually became the centerpiece of the property’s neon sign, glowing above Miracle Mile and giving travelers something unusual to remember.
The Ghost Ranch closed as a motel in 2007, but the property escaped demolition. A $12.5 million restoration preserved many of the original cottages, landscaping, and architectural details while converting the former resort into 112 affordable apartments.
UPDATE: The Ghost Ranch Lodge closed down in 2005 to become senior housing. Not sure of the fate of the grand neon sign. 03-06
UPDATE: November 29, 2008 saw the landmark Ghost Ranch Lodge catch fire, burning two buildings and partially burning the restaurant and lounge. Word is the fire may have been intentionally set and is being investigated by Tucson fire investigators and police. According to the Arizona Daily Star, the Ghost Ranch Lodge had been closed since 2005 after having been in business for over 60 years. After being sold to a new owner 2007, plans to convert the old motel to low-cost elder housing fell through earlier this year. 12-08
UPDATE: After months of renovation and construction, The Ghost Ranch Lodge has been transformed into a new 112 room low income, senior apartment complex. Tenants will start moving into this iconic Tucson landmark on August 1. The project received $20 million dollars of funding from various government agencies. 07-10
UPDATE: Ghost Ranch Lodge now operates as housing for seniors and residents with disabilities. The restored neon cattle-skull sign remains along Miracle Mile, and the preserved complex was added to the National Register of Historic Places in 2012. 08-26
Belle Aire Motel (Demolished)
Globe, AZ Photo courtesy Elgin MacMillan
Here’s a nighttime look at the glowing vertical sign for the Belle Aire Motel in Globe. The red neon letters stood out nicely against the dark Arizona sky, advertising another old motor court along US Highway 60. A small vacancy panel near the bottom let travelers know there was still room for the night.
The Belle Aire had a classic single-story, L-shaped layout that allowed motorists to pull off the highway and park directly outside their rooms. No lobby elevators or luggage carts were necessary here. Just grab the suitcase out of the trunk and walk a few steps to the door.
Bell Aire Motel
Globe, A Photo by RoadsidePeek.com
East Ash Street was once lined with motels, restaurants, gas stations, and other businesses serving traffic through this old Arizona mining town. The Belle Aire stood near Jerry’s Restaurant and the Copper Manor Motel, placing it in the middle of a busy little roadside cluster.
Like many independently owned motels, the Belle Aire eventually closed and fell into disrepair. As newer lodging opened closer to modern highway interchanges, the old motor courts became harder to maintain. The Belle Aire’s prominent corner property remained valuable, even after its motel days had ended.
UPDATE: The Belle Aire Motel has been demolished, and its vertical neon sign was removed. An AutoZone store now occupies the former motel property at 600 E. Ash Street. 08-26
Sun Land Motel (Closed)
Tucson, AZ Photo by RoadsidePeek.com
Check out the neon sign for the Sun Land
Motel, another surviving motor court along Tucson’s Miracle Mile. The big script name and stacked panels once advertised television, air conditioning, and other comforts to motorists rolling into town.
The Sun Land opened in 1949 along the busy US 80 and US 89 highway corridor. Its connected, single-story rooms allowed travelers to park right outside their doors, unload the car, and settle in without much fuss.
During the postwar years, Miracle Mile was crowded with motels competing for cross-country travelers. Large neon signs helped each property stand apart after dark. The Sun Land sign still has its original steel frame and flowing script, although its lower advertising panels have changed over time.
Sun Land Motel
Tucson, AZ Photo by RoadsidePeek.com
Interstate 10 eventually pulled much of the tourist traffic away from Miracle Mile. Like many older motor courts, the Sun Land turned to weekly rates and longer-term residents to keep its rooms occupied. It may not be the roadside vacation stop it was in 1949, but the old motel continues hanging on.
UPDATE: The Sun Land Motel remains standing at 1101 W. Miracle Mile and primarily offers weekly or extended-stay lodging. Its vintage neon sign survives with altered lower panels beside the old highway. 08-26
Owl
Lodge (Closed)
Tucson, AZ Photo courtesy Aaron Repath
Check out the neon owl keeping watch over the Owl Lodge along Tucson’s old Benson Highway. The little fellow sits above the motel name with glowing eyes, making this one roadside bird that is definitely more active after dark.
The Owl Lodge opened in 1955, when US 80 still carried travelers into Tucson along Benson Highway. Its 23 rooms were arranged in a traditional single-story motor-court layout, allowing motorists to park directly outside their doors.
The sign became one of the better-known pieces of neon along the old highway strip. Roadside architecture photographer John Margolies photographed it in 1979, and that image is now preserved in the Library of Congress. Not bad for an owl perched above a small Tucson motel.
Owl
Lodge
Tucson, AZ Photo courtesy Aaron Repath
As interstate traffic bypassed Benson Highway, the Owl Lodge gradually shifted away from overnight tourists. The old rooms were converted into apartments and are now managed together with the neighboring Mesa Lodge.
UPDATE: The Owl Lodge is now home to apartments. The Owl Lodge sign still stands. 09-17
UPDATE: The Owl Lodge operates as a residential apartment property at 2015 E. Benson Highway. Its vintage neon owl sign survives, continuing to keep an eye on the old US 80 corridor. 08-26
The glowing cattle skull outside the 
