No-Tel Motel close up of the sign
Tucson, AZ Photo by RoadsidePeek.com
The No-Tel Motel became a Tucson landmark of sorts, helped considerably by a name that suggested guests probably had a few secrets. Its bright yellow roadside sign was simple, direct, and just a little mischievous. The No-Tel was still in business in 2020, but no tell. 11-20
The sign then added one last strange chapter to the No-Tel story. In December 2024, the day before it was supposed to be moved to the Ignite Sign Art Museum, a man wearing a safety vest arrived and took the sign faces. He apparently believed he was rescuing them from demolition. After the theft made the news, he showed up at the museum six days later and returned them. No harm, no foul, and the sign reached the museum after all.
The motel was built around 1940 or 1942 as the Dobson Motel. It later became the De Anza Motel, operating from a Spanish Colonial Revival complex along the old U.S. Routes 80 and 89 approach to Tucson.
When Interstate 10 bypassed the Miracle Mile, the steady stream of highway travelers began disappearing. James Blair purchased the motel in 1975 and renamed it the No-Tel, a bit of roadside honesty that fit its new rent-by-the-hour business. Waterbeds and closed-circuit adult movies completed the change in direction.
No-Tel Motel office area
Tucson, AZ Photo by RoadsidePeek.com
The clever name helped the motel remain well known around Tucson long after its original tourist-court days had passed. Unfortunately, the property also became associated with crime, deterioration, and a steadily rougher stretch of Oracle Road.
The City of Tucson purchased the No-Tel in 2022 for redevelopment. The old Spanish Revival motel buildings were demolished and replaced by Milagro on Oracle, a 63-unit affordable housing community for older adults.
UPDATE : The No-Tel Motel was purchased in the fall of 2022 by the city with the intent to turn the historic motel into a homeless shelter and affordable housing for older adults. 06-23
UPDATE: Milagro on Oracle opened in January 2025, with part of the property providing permanent supportive housing and on-site services. The famous No-Tel sign remained standing briefly after the motel was demolished, but its current location and preservation status are uncertain. 08-26
Lone Star Motel (Demolished)
Phoenix, AZ Photo by RoadsidePeek.com
The Lone Star Motel at 3707 East Van Buren Street once showed off its glowing star along Phoenix’s main highway route. The big marquee called to passing motorists looking for a night’s rest before continuing across Arizona. 11-20
The motel served travelers following U.S. Routes 60, 70, 80, and 89 before Interstate 10 redirected traffic away from Van Buren. Old advertisements promoted cooled rooms, tiled baths, private parking, and direct-dial telephone service.
Its bright five-pointed star gave the property a simple but memorable Western identity. With dozens of motels competing along the same road, that glowing star helped the Lone Star stand out after dark.
UPDATE: The Lone Star Motel and its roadside sign were demolished during the early 2000s. The property has remained a fenced dirt lot for more than a decade, and the star no longer shines along Van Buren Street. 08-26
Navajo Motel
Phoenix, AZ Photo by RoadsidePeek.com
The Navajo Motel served Phoenix residents and highway travelers for many years. Its most recognizable feature was a simple rectangular red sign that once appeared to glow with neon along East Van Buren Street. 11-20
The motel was part of the eastern stretch of Phoenix’s old motel row, serving motorists arriving on U.S. Routes 60, 70, 80, and 89. Its location near Sky Harbor Airport also helped keep the rooms useful after freeway travel replaced the old highway strip.
The Navajo retains its classic postwar layout, with single-story rooms arranged in a U shape around a central parking area. Guests can still park close to their doors, just as travelers did during the motel’s earlier years.
Navajo Motel
Phoenix, AZ Photo by RoadsidePeek.com
Around 2010 , the original red neon marquee was removed and replaced with a plain backlit box sign. The old sign pole remained, but much of the Navajo’s roadside personality disappeared with the neon. The sign did change a number of years ago and the new one is plastic.
UPDATE: The Navajo Motel has not been converted into apartments and continues operating as an independent budget motel. Its rooms received a series of updates through 2025, while the original mid-century exterior layout remains recognizable. 08-26
Palomine Inn (Demolished)
Phoenix, AZ Photo by RoadsidePeek.com
The Palomine Inn at 1520 West Van Buren Street once used its large Western-themed sign to call travelers in from the highway. With dozens of other motels competing along the strip, a memorable name and marquee were important parts of the business. 11-20
The Palomine was welcoming travelers by at least 1951 and was considerably more elaborate than the average little motor court. Old postcards advertised “complete hotel service” in a Southwestern resort setting.
The property included a restaurant, lounge, gift shop, beauty and barber shop, swimming pool, shuffleboard courts, putting green, and even an archery range. There was enough here to keep a guest occupied without leaving the motel grounds.
The unusual Palomine spelling appeared on the original sign and advertising, although it is frequently changed to the more familiar “Palomino” in modern references. After Van Buren lost most of its cross-country traffic, the motel declined and eventually closed.
UPDATE: The Palomine Inn was demolished and its property redeveloped for modern urban uses and parking. The Western-themed marquee was removed many years ago, and its final fate is unknown. 08-26
Parkview Inn (Closed)
Phoenix, AZ Photo by RoadsidePeek.com
The Parkview Inn at 3547 East Van Buren Street once featured a classic motel marquee designed to catch travelers before they reached downtown Phoenix. Back when Van Buren was filled with neon signs, swimming pools, and independent motor courts, the Parkview was another roadside delight competing for the night’s business. 11-20
The motel occupied the eastern portion of Phoenix’s famous motel row, where travelers following U.S. Routes 60, 70, and 80 found one lodging choice after another. Its two-story, exterior-corridor room blocks faced a central parking area, allowing guests to keep their automobiles close by.
After its years as the Parkview Inn, the property changed names and operated as the Best Inn & Suites. The vintage Parkview sign disappeared during one of these transitions, taking most of the motel’s original roadside identity with it.
Parkview Inn Building
Phoenix, AZ Photo by RoadsidePeek.com
Although the property has sometimes been reported as demolished, the original motel buildings actually survived. They were extensively remodeled and converted from transient lodging into permanent apartments.
UPDATE: The former Parkview Inn now operates as the Portofino Apartments. Its old motel buildings remain in residential use, but the Parkview marquee was removed and its final fate is unknown. 08-26
No-Tel Motel close up of the sign
No-Tel Motel office area
Lone Star Motel (Demolished)
Navajo Motel
Navajo Motel
Palomine Inn (Demolished)
Parkview Inn (Closed)
Parkview Inn Building
