Vacant Motel (Gone)
Tucson, AZ Photo by RoadsidePeek.com
Sometimes a roadside stop leaves behind more questions than answers. This unidentified vacant motel in Tucson still had its old sign standing when these photos were taken, although whatever name once filled the panels had already disappeared. 06-23
Without readable lettering or a known address, the motel’s original identity remains a mystery. It may have been one of the many small motor courts once found along Oracle Road, Stone Avenue, Miracle Mile, or Benson Highway.
The empty rooms and weathered sign offered one last look at a forgotten piece of Tucson’s roadside motel era. There was not much information left to read, but the abandoned property still told its own story.
UPDATE: The vacant motel and its unidentified roadside sign have since been demolished. Can't seem to remember the name of this motel. Anyone know? 08-26
Paradise Motor Hotel (Closed)
Tucson, AZ Photo by RoadsidePeek.com
The Paradise Motor Hotel has outlasted quite a few changes along South Sixth Avenue in Tucson. Its big roadside sign has gone from red to blue and back to red again since these early visits. Apparently, even an old motel marquee needs a change of clothes now and then. 06-23
Built in 1938, the property welcomed travelers when US 80 and US 89 carried traffic through South Tucson. Its single-story motor-court layout offered convenient parking near the rooms. Over the years, Paradise Inn, Paradise Motel, and Paradise Motor Hotel lettering took turns introducing the place, while the substantial sign framework stayed beside the road.
UPDATE: The Primavera Foundation purchased the former motel in April 2024 for conversion into temporary housing and supportive accommodations. Renovation plans called for adding 41 units to the organization’s housing resources. The old Paradise is finding another purpose, giving its roadside buildings a chance to keep serving people rather than making way for another empty lot. 11-26
Quail Inn Motel
Tucson, AZ Photo by RoadsidePeek.com
Back in the 1990s, the Quail Inn Motel was definitely open for business along busy North Oracle Road. Its reddish-orange sign stood out against the Tucson sky, while the large satellite dish near the rooms looked ready to pull in television stations from halfway across Arizona. 06-23
The motel has been welcoming travelers for much longer than the Quail Inn name might suggest. It was built in 1936 as the De Luxe Motel, a small Spanish Revival motor court developed by C. A. Dunlap and his wife during the early days of automobile tourism in Tucson.
Following World War II, the property was expanded and renamed the Starline Motel. It later became the Quail Inn, giving this one roadside motel three different identities over the years.
Quail Inn front and sign
Tucson, AZ Photo by RoadsidePeek.com
The sign also tells part of that story. Its glass-block base and vacancy panel are believed to date from the De Luxe years. The inverted steel starburst was added during the Starline era, while the white script spelling “Quail” arrived with the final name change. It is almost like three motel signs combined into one.
Oracle Road was once filled with motor courts competing for travelers heading through Tucson. A colorful neon sign, refrigerated air, television, and eventually a giant satellite dish could all help convince a tired motorist to pull in for the night.
UPDATE: The Quail Inn remains open as a small independent motel. Its historic sign still stands along Oracle Road, although the familiar reddish-orange coloring seen in the old photos has been blue for many years. 08-26
Flamingo Hotel (Closed)
Tucson, AZ Photo by RoadsidePeek.com
The tall sign outside the Flamingo Hotel was a familiar sight along North Stone Avenue in Tucson. Installed in 1962, its sweeping Space Age frame helped the Flamingo stand out from the many other motels competing for travelers near the Miracle Mile. 06-23
The hotel itself was built in 1952 by Del Webb, who had also served as the contractor brought in to finish Bugsy Siegel’s famous Flamingo Hotel in Las Vegas. That gives the smaller Tucson Flamingo an interesting connection to one of the best-known resorts on the Las Vegas Strip.
Unlike the Las Vegas property, Tucson’s Flamingo was a low-rise motor hotel built around the needs of highway travelers. Its large roadside sign arrived about ten years after the hotel opened and added plenty of mid-century roadside character to the property.
The Flamingo
Tucson, AZ Photo by RoadsidePeek.com
After several ownership changes, the hotel became the Quality Inn Flamingo Downtown in 2011. Corporate panels and new lettering gradually replaced much of the old neon on the sign, although its unmistakable framework remained standing.
Here's another view of the Flamingo Hotel was down the block. The Flamingo lettering on the hotel building is very distinct.
UPDATE: The Quality Inn Flamingo is listed as permanently closed, but the old Del Webb hotel was not demolished. The buildings remain in use as the Red Roof Inn Tucson Downtown-University, and the altered 1962 sign frame still stands along Stone Avenue. 08-26
Monterey Motel (Rem.)
Tucson, AZ Photo courtesy Bob Jagendorf
Catch a glimpse of the Monterey Motel and its desert-themed roadside sign along Tucson’s Miracle Mile. The sign’s Southwestern graphics and neon fit right in with the little stucco cottages gathered behind it.
The property dates to the late 1930s and was originally known as Monterey Court. By the early 1940s, it had adopted the Monterey Motel name as motor courts across the country began using the newer and more recognizable “motel” label.
Its individual casitas were arranged around a central automobile courtyard. Travelers could pull off the old U.S. Highways 80 and 89 route, park near a room, and settle in without going through a large hotel lobby.
After the motel years ended, the property spent time in poor condition and could easily have become another lost Miracle Mile landmark. Greg Haver and Kelly McLear purchased it in 2011 and found a new use for the old buildings.
Monterey Motel
Tucson, AZ Photo by RoadsidePeek.com
The guest cottages became small galleries, studios, shops, and salons. Meanwhile, the former parking courtyard was transformed into a covered patio with dining and a stage. Cars once filled the center of the motor court; now it is filled with tables, musicians, and an audience.
Monterey Court has become one of Tucson’s better examples of roadside architecture finding a completely different purpose. The venue hosts live music throughout the week and was inducted into the Arizona Blues Hall of Fame in 2024.
UPDATE: The Monterey Motel is been redeveloped into the Monterey Court Studio Galleries, which features artisan galleries and specialty shops. In addition, the neon sign for the Monterey Motel has returned to its location. See the Monterey Court website for more information. 01-13
UPDATE: Monterey Court remains open as an artisan village, restaurant, and live music venue. Its 1930s casitas have been preserved, and the restored neon motel sign continues to glow along Miracle Mile. 09-26
Vacant Motel (Gone)
Paradise Motor Hotel (Closed)
Quail Inn front and sign
Monterey Motel (Rem.)
