Oasis Motel
Tulsa, OK
Photo courtesy Mark Hackett

A rather interesting sign, the Oasis Motel marquee always made me wonder if I was looking at a crescent moon or a banana. As it turns out, it's a crescent moon nestled inside a starburst—a fitting design for a motel named "Oasis." Then again, any sign with a name like Oasis makes you wonder if the whole thing might just be a mirage.

The motel was built in 1953 along Tulsa's busy Route 66 corridor, while the current Googie-style sign was added around 1960. With its bold colors, sweeping lines, and distinctive moon-and-starburst design, the marquee became one of the most recognizable motel signs on 11th Street. The property originally featured an L-shaped swimming pool out front, another classic touch from the golden age of roadside travel.

Fortunately, this is one of the success stories. Rather than disappearing like so many vintage motel signs, the Oasis marquee was restored through local preservation efforts and once again lights up Route 66. The motel also features a colorful "Welcome to Tulsa & Route 66" mural on one end of the building, making it an easy stop for roadside enthusiasts.

Oasis Motel
Tulsa, OK
Photo courtesy Charles Brock

Here's a couple of additional shots of the Oasis Motel marquee from Tulsa. In the close-up shop of the sign at the near left, it looks like the neon is still intact on this classic roadside motel sign.

Oasis close up of the lettering
Photo courtesy Charles Brock

UPDATE: Here's another shot of the Oasis Motel sign, this one without the sputnik that used to be atop the sign. The motel appeared to be used for long term lodging. 08-17

Oasis Motel
Tulsa, OK
Photo by RoadsidePeek.com

UPDATE: The Oasis Motel remains open as an independent motel, and its beautifully restored Googie-style sign continues to illuminate Tulsa's historic Route 66. The original swimming pool is gone, but the motel and its iconic marquee remain among the city's best surviving roadside landmarks. 06-26

Western Capri Motel (Removed)
Tulsa, OK
Photo courtesy Mark Hackett

The Western Capri Motel once had a huge marquee with an immense arrow pointing travelers right into its den. Located along Tulsa's old Route 66 corridor, the sign had the kind of bold roadside presence that made passing motorists take notice.

The motel opened in 1950 and was promoted as an "Ultra Modern" stop for travelers, offering conveniences such as free television, wall-to-wall carpeting, individually controlled room temperatures, and an on-site restaurant. The original neon sign matched that promise, with a sweeping arrow and starburst canopy giving the property plenty of mid-century flash.

Unfortunately, the sign did not survive. In 2006, the Western Capri marquee was removed and cut apart rather than preserved. The pieces were later tracked to a local scrap yard, where the sign was destroyed and lost for good.

UPDATE: The motel property still operates as budget lodging, but the original neon sign is gone. A generic plastic sign now stands in its place, making the loss of the Western Capri marquee another tough reminder of how quickly classic Route 66 neon can disappear. 06-26

UPDATE 10/10 : The Western Capri Motel sign has been replaced with a generic plastic version. 10-10

Western Capri Motel (plastic sign)
Tulsa, OK
Photo by RoadsidePeek.com

Desert Hills Motel
Tulsa, OK
Photo courtesy Mark Hackett

The Desert Hills Motel sits just down the road from Tulsa's famous Rose Bowl and features one of the best-known motel signs along Route 66. The glowing green cactus seems to give a friendly roadside wave to passing motorists, while the flashing arrow points the way inside. It's a sign that's hard to forget once you've seen it.

Built in 1953, the 50-room motel has welcomed Route 66 travelers for more than seven decades. One of its more unusual features is the diagonal layout of the guest rooms, a design that allowed for larger rooms while making the most of the property's narrow lot. Although it's often said the motel has appeared in several movies, specific film appearances haven't been conclusively verified.

The Desert Hills has managed to hold onto much of its mid-century character. Its iconic neon sign was carefully restored and relit in 2004 as part of preparations for Tulsa's International Route 66 Festival, and a vintage 1957 Chevrolet parked near the office adds another nostalgic touch. The original swimming pool is gone, having been converted into a grassy courtyard, but the motel still captures the spirit of the Mother Road.

UPDATE: The roadside gem of the Desert Hills Motel still stands along busy Route 66 in Tulsa. 08-17

UPDATE: The Desert Hills Motel remains open under independent ownership and continues welcoming travelers along historic Route 66. Its beautifully restored neon cactus sign still lights up the Tulsa skyline, making it one of Oklahoma's best-preserved roadside motel landmarks. 06-26

Desert Hills Motel
Tulsa, OK
Photo by RoadsidePeek.com