Cascade Motel (Demolished)
Seattle, WA Photo courtesy John Spencer
The Cascade Motel didn't have one of those giant signs that towered over the highway. Instead, its marquee stood surprisingly close to the building, giving the whole place a compact look that fit neatly along busy Aurora Avenue. Even so, it was easy to spot as you drove by, especially with the familiar motel lettering welcoming travelers into Seattle.
Aurora Avenue was once lined with motels, each competing for the attention of motorists traveling Highway 99. The Cascade wasn't the flashiest on the strip, but it had the kind of honest roadside charm that made you wonder what stories those rooms could tell. Sometimes the smaller signs are the ones you remember because they fit the place so well.
UPDATE: The motel itself shut down almost a decade ago, however the sign was still leaning over Aurora Avenue until recently. The sign is now gone. 04-17
UPDATE: The Cascade Motel was demolished years ago, and the longtime surviving marquee was removed in 2017. 07-26
La Hacienda Motel
Seattle, WA Photo courtesy Mike
With its low-slung motor court and palm trees, this could easily pass for a postcard from the early 1960s. The La Hacienda Motel has the kind of classic roadside look that instantly brings back memories of family road trips and nights spent at independent motels.
Located along Seattle's old Highway 99 corridor, the motel is one of the few survivors from an era when motor courts lined the route into the city. The vintage architecture and neon sign still give it the personality that made these places so inviting to travelers.
UPDATE: The La Hacienda Motel remains open, and its classic neon sign continues to light up Seattle's historic Highway 99 corridor. 07-26
Klose-in Motel (Demolished)
Seattle, WA Photo courtesy Chris Richey
Fancy the mid-century colors on this sign! Grab some guacamole and head
on over to the Klose-in Motel in Seattle. Not sure if the clock
still works, but heck it is a great sign!
Aurora Avenue was once lined with independent motels, each trying to outdo the next with eye-catching signs. The Klose-In didn't need the tallest marquee on the strip. Its bright colors, playful design, and working clock gave it plenty of personality and made it a favorite among roadside enthusiasts.
The motel is gone today, but this great sign wasn't lost. It was rescued before demolition and now has a new home where future generations can appreciate one of Seattle's classic neon landmarks.
Klose-in Motel (Demolished)
Seattle, WA Photo courtesy Matthias Tippner
UPDATE: Here's an updated shot from Fall 2008 of the Klose-in Motel sign sporting a freshened up paint scheme. Many thanks to Matthias Tippner for update. 01-09
UPDATE: The Klose-in Motel has been demolished. The owner may plan on building a self-storage facility on the site. 04-17
UPDATE: The Klose-In Motel closed in 2014 and was demolished in 2017. 07-26
Viking Motel
Portland, OR Photo courtesy Jeff Raber
It's always fun to see an old motel sign proudly advertising "TV" as one of its biggest attractions. The Viking Motel in Portland still does just that, a reminder of a time when having a television in your room was enough to pull travelers off the highway.
The shield-shaped sign, complete with its Viking profile, gives the motel a personality all its own. Built along old Highway 99, it's one of those roadside landmarks that has watched generations of travelers pass by, even as the neighborhood and transportation around it have changed over the years.
Today the MAX trains glide past where highway traffic once dominated, but the Viking Motel still looks right at home. Better yet, Portland recognized the sign's importance by giving it protected vintage sign status, helping ensure this classic piece of roadside Americana remains part of the streetscape for years to come.
UPDATE: The Viking Motel continues to operate and its distinctive Viking sign still welcomes travelers along North Interstate Avenue. 07-26
Thunderbird Motel (Now the Fremont Motel) (Demolished)
Seattle, WA Photo by RoadsidePeek.com
A name like Thunderbird Motel practically promises an interesting roadside sign, and this Seattle example delivered. Its bold styling gave motorists something to notice along Aurora Avenue, where independent motels once competed for attention with neon, unusual shapes, and memorable names. 11-20
Built in 1956, the nineteen unit motel stood at 4251 Aurora Avenue North and later operated as the Fremont Inn. The Thunderbird sign survived the name change, preserving a piece of the years when Highway 99 was a major route through Seattle and a good marquee could help sell a night’s lodging.
UPDATE: The Thunderbird Motel in Seattle no longer has the same name. It is now the Fremont Motel. The vintage sign is still visible along Aurora Avenue, but only some of its lights work. Many thanks to Curtis Bobbitt for update. 2-08
UPDATE: The Thunderbird Motel (Fremont Inn) was demolished in 2012. It was replaced by affordable housing called Patrick Place. The motel had been known for years as a haven for prostitution, drug activity, and a hangout for violent crime. 04-17
UPDATE: The motel was demolished in February 2012, and supportive housing later replaced it. Contemporary accounts reported that the Thunderbird sign was given to a neighbor who hoped to restore it. Its present whereabouts remain unconfirmed, but the sign apparently escaped demolition with the building. 07-26
