Duellman's Motel (Demolished)
Downers Grove, IL
Photo courtesy Don Gardner

The Duellman's Motel had one of those signs that makes you stop for a second look. The support column featured a series of decorative cutouts that gave the marquee a little extra style without going overboard. It was a simple touch, but it helped the sign stand out along busy Ogden Avenue.

Like many motels that lined America's highways, Duellman's advertised the comforts of the day right on its sign. Air conditioned rooms, a playroom for families, and a bright neon arrow all worked together to catch the attention of passing motorists. Sometimes it's the little design details that make an otherwise ordinary motel memorable, and this sign certainly had a personality of its own.

UPDATE: The Duellman's Motel has been demolished, and the distinctive roadside sign disappeared before the property was cleared. The site has since been redeveloped with new residential buildings, making this another classic motel that's now part of history. 07-26

Echo Motel (Demolished)
Elkhart, IN
Photo courtesy Michelle K

Here's an old roadside sign for the Echo Motel, located in Elkhart, Indiana. The sign proudly advertises TV, but the illuminated letters spell out "Vacancy." Exactly how that all worked is a bit of a roadside mystery, and that's part of what makes this sign so much fun.

As motels modernized during the 1950s and 1960s, many owners updated their signs to advertise televisions, one of the biggest selling points of the day. Instead of replacing an entire sign, it wasn't unusual for sections to be modified or added over the years. The result was sometimes an interesting mix of old and new, like the one seen here.

Whatever the story behind it, the Echo Motel had the kind of sign that makes you stop for a closer look. It's proof that even an ordinary roadside motel could have a little personality.

UPDATE: The Echo Motel has been demolished, and the old roadside sign is gone as well. Today the property has been redeveloped, leaving this photo as one of the few reminders that the motel was ever there. 07-26

Hollywood Motel
Southgate, MI
Photo courtesy Mark Hackett

The colorful sign at Hollywood Motel gives this small Southgate, Michigan, motor court a much bigger roadside presence. Along busy Dix Toledo Road, the marquee has enough personality to make you look twice. It’s a welcome find among the more ordinary signs along the strip.

The motel has been documented under the Hollywood name since at least 2002, although its opening date remains unclear. Its compact layout recalls the independent lodging stops that once lined major automobile routes, each relying on a recognizable sign to help fill the rooms.

UPDATE: Hollywood Motel remains open, and its roadside sign still stands. The neon is gone and portions have changed, but the display retains much of its earlier shape and character. Fortunately, the old marquee hasn’t been replaced altogether. 07-26

Presidential Inn Motel (Gone)
Cicero, IL
Photo courtesy Kelly Coalier

A hot tub for two and a complimentary rubber ducky gave Presidential Inn Motel an unusual roadside sales pitch. Along Harlem Avenue in the Cicero area, the motel certainly knew how to make passing motorists smile. That’s a little more memorable than simply advertising cable television.

Whirlpool suites helped the property carve out its own niche, appealing to local customers as well as overnight travelers. The promotion put romance and novelty front and center, with the rubber duck supplying a playful finishing touch. You have to wonder how many went home as souvenirs.

UPDATE: The building survives under the De Luxe Inn name, but the original Presidential Inn sign has been replaced. The motel’s earlier identity is gone, including the roadside invitation that made a bath toy part of the lodging experience. 07-26

The Maples Motel
Sandusky, OH
Photo courtesy Emily Steele

The sign at Maples Motel in Sandusky, Ohio, proudly advertised heat. That might seem unnecessary today, but a warm room was worth mentioning to travelers along Lake Erie. The old lettering is part of what makes this U.S. 6 marquee interesting.

The Faber family traces its business roots to 1909. Tourist cabins preceded the present motel buildings, which expanded during the 1950s, and several older cabins were retained. The sign is generally attributed to that mid-century period rather than the 1930s, making it another layer in the property’s long history.

UPDATE: Maples remains open, with its cabins and vintage sign still part of the setting. Nearby road-improvement plans have raised access concerns, but the family’s longtime lodging business continues along Cleveland Road. 07-26

U.S. Grant Motel
Mattoon, IL
Photo courtesy Don Gardner

The shield-shaped marquee at U.S. Grant Motel gave Mattoon, Illinois, a patriotic roadside landmark. Its bold design made the sign almost as memorable as the name. This was one lodging advertisement worth noticing before reaching the driveway.

Located along U.S. 45, the motel promoted a Duncan Hines recommendation, an endorsement travelers recognized from his dining and lodging guides. Before online reviews, those recommendations helped motorists decide where to stop. Fortunately, a private collector acquired the distinctive sign before the buildings met the wrecking crews.

UPDATE: Demolition was underway in April 2025 after years of vacancy. Plans called for the neighboring Castle bar to expand parking and create an outdoor venue. The motel is gone, but its shield marquee was preserved in a private collection. 07-26

Cottonwood Motel (Demolished)
Lewistown, IL
Photo courtesy Don Gardner

The tall sign at Cottonwood Motel gave Lewistown, Illinois, travelers something worth noticing. Its sweeping script had plenty of roadside character, whether or not the neon was still working. A distinctive name and a little imaginative lettering could go a long way.

Kendall and Arleta Mears owned and operated the motel for 40 years, giving the property a long family connection. Kendall also worked as a custom homebuilder and had served in the Marine Corps during World War II. Those details add a little more history behind the familiar motel name.

UPDATE: Cottonwood Motel has reportedly been demolished, and its old sign is gone. The proposed boutique-lodging replacement could not be independently confirmed, nor could the sign’s eventual fate. Whether any part was saved remains unknown. 07-26

Capital Motel
Columbus, OH
Photo courtesy Dirk Burhans

The Capital Motel features lodging both inside and, apparently, right next to its marquee. Not sure if the sofa behind the tree is a recliner, but it certainly adds a little character to the scene. The sign itself is classic roadside Americana, with bold block letters spelling out "MOTEL" for motorists traveling along old U.S. Route 40.

The Capital Motel has been welcoming travelers for decades from its spot on East Main Street. It's a simple, single-story motor court, but the vintage sign gives it a personality that's hard to overlook. These are the kinds of independent motels that once lined America's highways, each hoping a memorable sign would be enough to earn another night's business.

UPDATE: The Capital Motel is still open today, and its classic roadside marquee continues to stand along historic U.S. Route 40. It's always nice to see another vintage motel sign still doing the job it was built to do. 07-26