Gateway Motel (Rem.)
Tulsa, OK
Photo courtesy Charles Brock

The Gateway Motor Hotel in Tulsa still advertises a great rate, rain or shine. I can't say what the rooms are like these days, but the roadside sign still looks terrific and continues to catch the eye of travelers passing along Route 66. The large marquee is a reminder of an era when a good sign could be just as important as the motel itself.

Originally built in the early 1950s as the Town & Country Motor Hotel and Restaurant, the property offered 62 air-conditioned rooms, family suites, a swimming pool, and a 24-hour restaurant with room service. As Tulsa grew and travel habits changed, the motel was renamed the Gateway Motor Hotel (later Gateway Motor Inn), while the restaurant and pool eventually disappeared.

Despite the changes, the vintage sign has remained. It's one of the surviving roadside landmarks on Tulsa's western Route 66 corridor and a nice reminder of the city's busy motel era.

UPDATE: The Gateway Motor Inn remains open, primarily serving budget and long-term guests. The historic roadside marquee was replaced. 06-26

Cotton Boll Motel (Closed)
Canute, OK
Photo courtesy Dave & Debra van Hulsteyn

Located along Route 66 in Canute, the Cotton Boll Motel has long since closed its doors, but its iconic roadside sign has found a remarkable second life. Built by local cotton farmers, the motel's name reflected the agricultural roots of western Oklahoma. When this photo was taken, the motel had already fallen quiet, but the sign still hinted at better days.

The motel celebrated its grand opening on May 29, 1960, offering 16 modern rooms with amenities that were considered first-class for the era, including air conditioning, televisions, wall-to-wall carpeting, and tiled bathrooms. Its striking porcelain-enamel sign, built by Seright Neon of Elk City, became one of the most recognizable landmarks along this stretch of Route 66.

Like many small-town motels, the Cotton Boll struggled after Interstate 40 bypassed Canute in 1970. The motel survived for another two decades before closing in the early 1990s, and the buildings were eventually converted into a private residence.

UPDATE: The motel remains a private residence, but the Cotton Boll sign has been beautifully restored. After more than 30 years without neon, the landmark marquee was fully refurbished and ceremonially relit on March 21, 2026, once again glowing over Route 66 thanks to a state Route 66 Revitalization Grant and local preservation efforts. 06-26

Star Lite Motel (Gone)
Sturgis, SD
Photo courtesy Tony Craig

The Star Lite Motel was hard to miss thanks to the huge neon star perched high above its roadside marquee. Whether you were passing through the Black Hills or headed into town for the annual Sturgis Motorcycle Rally, the sign was a familiar landmark that practically demanded a second look.

The motel served travelers for many years as one of Sturgis' independent roadside lodging options. Like so many businesses of the mid-century era, the oversized star wasn't just decoration—it was designed to catch the attention of motorists long before GPS and online reservations became the norm.

Sadly, the motel has since been demolished, joining the long list of roadside businesses that have disappeared from America's highways. Unfortunately, the fate of the giant star sign remains unknown, and it has never been confirmed whether it was preserved or simply lost during demolition.

UPDATE: The Star Lite Motel is gone, and the property has been redeveloped. The iconic star-topped marquee has also been removed, although its ultimate fate is unknown. 06-26

Washita Motel (Closed)
Canute, OK
Photo courtesy Dave & Debra van Hulsteyn

Here's a photo of the Washita Motel in Canute. At first glance it looks like it may have been converted into long-term lodging, but today the former motel actually serves as a private residence. Many thanks to Clarke Ingram for helping identify the motel's name.

The motel has an unusual history. Originally built in Foss, its individual motel units were moved to Canute during the 1960s to serve travelers along Route 66. After Interstate 40 bypassed the town, business steadily declined until the motel finally closed in 1992, more than 20 years after through traffic had largely disappeared.

The vintage roadside sign still stands beside the old motel and remains one of Canute's surviving reminders of the Mother Road. Like many old Route 66 signs, it's weathered but still full of character.

UPDATE: The former motel is now a private residence, and the historic sign remains standing. In 2025, the Town of Canute received Route 66 Revitalization Grant funding to repaint and stabilize the marquee, helping preserve another piece of Oklahoma's roadside history. It is currently unverified whether the project will include restoring the neon. 06-26

Western Motel
Sayre, OK
Photo courtesy Dave & Debra van Hulsteyn

The Western Motel in Sayre features one of the most distinctive motel signs you'll find anywhere on Route 66. Instead of the usual arrows or starbursts, the marquee showcases a colorful desert scene complete with a towering saguaro cactus. Stare at it long enough and you'll start wondering if you've somehow crossed into Arizona. 10-05

The motel officially opened on August 30, 1959, when more than 600 people attended its grand opening. Built by Ollie and Ruby Elliott, the 25-room motel was designed with upscale touches for the era, while the elaborate neon sign became its unmistakable roadside calling card. Surrounded by dozens of flashing bulbs, the scenic panel was impossible for travelers to miss.

Although the neon has been dark for many years, the sign remains one of Oklahoma's most admired Route 66 landmarks. Its southwestern imagery is unlike anything else along the Mother Road and has made it a favorite of roadside photographers for decades.

UPDATE: The Western Motel remains open under independent ownership. Thanks to a Route 66 Revitalization Grant awarded in 2025–2026, restoration of the historic marquee is underway, with plans to relight the neon once fundraising and restoration work are complete. 06-26

Thunderbird Motel
Dodge City, KS
Photo courtesy Greg West

This fancy sign belongs to the Thunderbird Motel in Dodge City. The colorful thunderbird perched above the marquee, along with the bold red-and-white design, makes it a real roadside attraction. And if the glowing sign wasn't enough to convince passing motorists, the promise of "Clean Rooms" probably sealed the deal. 10-05

Although the motel's exact construction date hasn't been confirmed, its architecture and sign are unmistakably products of the mid-century motel era. The stylized thunderbird reflects a popular design trend of the 1950s, when bold graphics and memorable symbols helped independent motels stand out to travelers cruising America's highways.

Unlike many vintage motel signs that have disappeared, the Thunderbird's marquee has survived. It has been carefully restored and repainted, allowing a new generation of travelers to enjoy one of Dodge City's classic roadside landmarks.

UPDATE: The Thunderbird Motel remains open as an independently operated motel. Its beautifully restored vintage sign still greets travelers along Wyatt Earp Boulevard and continues to be one of the city's best surviving examples of mid-century roadside neon. 06-26