El Portal Motel (Gone)
Superior AZ Photo by RoadsidePeek.com
Check out the El Portal Motel in Superior, AZ. The motel advertises much welcome refrigeration on its sign and of course the required TV in big letters. The sign was pretty cool to see along this drive through Arizona. Unfortunately it appears that the El Portal Motel is now gone. 06-23
Hacienda Motel (Closed)
Tucson, AZ Photo by RoadsidePeek.com
The Hacienda Motel was built in 1946 and is a decent sized motel complex located off of busy North Oracle Road in Tucson. The motel complex has multiple roadside signs. I spoke to what I believe what a representative of "new" ownership about 10 years ago and the motel was going to be invested in and upgraded to attract the modern tourist.
The motel was sold in 2022 and will be converted to apartments. 06-23
Larian Motel
Tombstone, AZ Photo by RoadsidePeek.com
The Larian Motel was built in Tombstone in 1952. The motel has gone through about 3 ownership changes over the years and has around a dozen units. The motel's slogan is "Clean, comfortable, and convenient" and based upon reviews it appears to be that. 06-23
Here is another view of the Lariat Motel from the roadway
Lariat Motel Photo by RoadsidePeek.com
Frontier Motel (Closed)
Tucson, AZ Photo by RoadsidePeek.com
Check out the Frontier Motel located off the main highway in Tucson. The sign showcases the motel's amenities including air conditioning and air refrigeration. The motel was built in 1941 and was originally named the Pioneer Motel for a couple of years.
The Pima Community College purchased this property in 2018. The buildings on this property have been fenced off the the entire property along with a couple of neighboring motels are in limbo with potential option being all the properties being leveled and replaced with parking lots. 06-23
Redwood Lodge
Tucson, AZ Photo by RoadsidePeek.com
The Redwood Lodge and its neon sign lit up Benson Avenue a few decades ago. The sign advertised different credit cards, RCA TV, and kitchenettes to its weary travelers looking to stop for the night.
Fast forward a few decades and the Redwood Lodge is still around, albeit for longer term veteran housing. 06-23
Desert Edge Motel (Gone)
Tucson, AZ Photo by RoadsidePeek.com
The Desert Edge Motel off the Benson Highway used to be home to a cool neon sign and old motel complex that hearkened back to the heyday of the roadside motel. In this photo from the 1990s, check out the neon sign and calling out of kitchenettes. A fire burned a couple units at the motel which was sitting abandoned in 2019.
The Desert Edge is now apartments and the sign was removed in the past 5 years. 06-23
Desert Sands Lodge
Tucson, AZ Photo by RoadsidePeek.com
The Desert Sands Lodge at 1435 E Benson Highway featured sign panels that used to be quite prevalent back in in the day. It appears the old motel buildings are still on site but nothing has been left of the sign for many years. 06-23
Alamo Apartments
Tucson, AZ Photo by RoadsidePeek.com
This colorful blade sign sits outside of the Alamo Apartments building in Tucson, AZ. The lettering is neon. Not sure if this was once a motel prior to be converted to apartments.
The Alamo was built in 1937 and the sign was designed by isadore Posner a local Tucson neon artist. The sign was restored in 2008. 06-23
Casa Linda Motel (Gone)
Tucson, AZ Photo by RoadsidePeek.com
Check out this eye-catching sign for the Casa Linda Motel in Tucson. The motel is now gone and the sign has disappeared over the years. 06-23
El Portal Motel (Gone)
Larian Motel
Desert Edge Motel (Gone)
Desert Sands Lodge
Alamo Apartments
Casa Linda Motel (Gone)
