Tucson, Arizona - The Tiki Motel is a pueblo deco motel complex of 20 units that opened in 1947. Over the years, the motel deteriorated as the swimming pool became filled in with dirt and fenced off. The motel closed in the past few years and the tiki sign came down in November 21. The sign was donated to the Tucson Historic Preservation.
Tiki Motel Marquee
Tucson, AZ Photo by RoadsidePeek.com
There was never much doubt about the main attraction at the Tiki Motel. The little motor court along Oracle Road had only 20 rooms, but its wild Polynesian roadside sign could hold its own against just about anything on Tucson’s old motel strip. Shaped like a giant ceremonial shield or mask, the sign glowed with red, yellow, green, and blue neon, complete with a fiery crown on top. It was pure roadside fun, especially when all that neon was lit after dark.
The motel began life as the Oracle Motel, with sources placing its construction around 1940 or 1947. The one-story Pueblo Deco complex was built around a courtyard with exposed brick walls, attached carports, and a swimming pool near the front. It was a modest place made for motorists traveling the old Oracle Road and Miracle Mile motel corridor.
Tiki Motel Neon
Tucson, AZ Photo by RoadsidePeek.com
In 1963, the Oracle Motel was remodeled and renamed the Tiki Motel, joining the nationwide Polynesian craze that was filling American restaurants, lounges, and motels with tikis, bamboo, tropical drinks, and flaming torches. The Tucson motel never became an elaborate island resort, but that enormous neon shield gave passing motorists all the tropical atmosphere they needed. The sign alone could turn an ordinary little desert motel into someplace that sounded much more exotic.
Over the years, the Tiki Motel gradually lost much of its original character. The exposed brick was covered with stucco, windows were altered for air-conditioning units, and the old swimming pool was eventually filled with dirt and fenced off. The complex became increasingly worn around the edges, but the sign remained out front, still serving as a colorful reminder of the motel’s better days.
Tiki Motel Neon Close-up
Tucson, AZ Photo by RoadsidePeek.com
One of the last times I saw the Tiki Motel open, the neon was still glowing and I stopped to take photographs. I had a nice chat with the motel owners and promised to bring them a photograph of their place. Unfortunately, I never had the chance to deliver it. The motel closed, the property changed hands, and the buildings were torn down before I could return.
That is one of the bittersweet parts of photographing old roadside places. A familiar motel can sit beside the same road for decades and somehow seem as though it will always be there. Then one day the office is empty, the rooms are boarded up, and the bulldozers arrive. The photograph that was meant as a gift becomes part of the record instead.
Tiki Motel
Tucson, AZ Photo courtesy Bob Jagendorf
UPDATE: The Tiki Motel closed and its famous sign was removed in November 2021 before the 20-unit complex was demolished. The sign was saved through a local preservation effort involving Tucson Historic Preservation and Cook & Company Signmakers. It was later restored and placed on display at Tucson’s Ignite Sign Art Museum, where the old Polynesian shield can light up the night once again. The motel is gone, but at least its best-known piece of roadside character escaped the bulldozer. 08-26
Tiki Motel Marquee
Tiki Motel Neon
Tiki Motel Neon Close-up
