Fireside Motel (Gone)
Ephraim, UT
Photo by RoadsidePeek.com

Check out the big arrow on the Fireside Motel marquee in Ephraim. There wasn't much doubt about where to turn for a room. With the motel name beside that generous pointer, the sign did its advertising without needing a cowboy, spinning globe, or rooftop starburst. Sometimes a good arrow was all it took. 09-06

Ephraim sits along U.S. 89 through the Sanpete Valley, a route that still rewards travelers willing to spend some time away from the interstate. Independent motels like the Fireside were part of that roadside experience. The name suggested a comfortable evening indoors, while the sign took care of getting you into the driveway. It was a simple combination, but one worth stopping to photograph.

UPDATE: The Fireside Motel has closed. This photo preserves its distinctive arrow marquee and a little of Ephraim's older roadside character. An opening date and the sign's eventual fate remain unclear, but that oversized pointer certainly earned its place in the collection. 11-26

Long Holiday Motel
Gunnison, CO
Photo courtesy Chris Krok

Check out the fantastic starburst perched above the Long Holiday Motel in Gunnison. I enjoyed seeing this one for myself, and that oversized orb certainly made the stop worthwhile. It brings to mind spending a long holiday searching out old signs, although the motel's name actually came from its original owner. 09-06

The property opened in 1957 as Long's Holiday Motel. Its spectacular topper is a Roto-Sphere, a mechanical sign decoration produced by Louisiana sign maker Warren Milks beginning in 1960. This one was likely added during the early 1960s, giving the motel something considerably more dramatic than a flashing vacancy panel.

UPDATE: The Long Holiday Motel continues welcoming travelers along Highway 50, and its unusual starburst remains standing. The sign was repainted and its remaining neon removed in 2011 after maintaining the tubing proved impractical in Gunnison's harsh weather. It may have lost its glow, but that big orb still gives this roadside survivor plenty of personality. 06-26

Homestead Motel
Denver, CO
Photo by RoadsidePeek.com

The Homestead Motel might look fairly ordinary at first, but check out the colors on that sign. They give the property a look that belongs to an earlier stretch of West Colfax Avenue, when motorists had their choice of independent motels and every owner needed something out front to get noticed. 09-06

Although often associated with Denver, the Homestead is in neighboring Lakewood along the old U.S. 40 corridor. The sign's appeal comes from its lettering and color combination rather than an oversized roadside character. In August 2017, it was documented with fresh paint but without its exposed neon, changing the appearance of a display that had once offered two colors of illumination.

UPDATE: The Homestead appears to remain open along West Colfax Avenue. Its familiar sign survives in altered form, although the original neon is gone. Good to see the old motel name still represented along a road where so many lodging signs have disappeared or traded their distinctive lettering for a plastic panel. 06-26

El Rancho Motel (Gone)
Riverton, WY
Photo courtesy Don Gardner

Check out the character holding up the El Rancho Motel sign in Riverton. Wearing a big sombrero and presenting the MOTEL panel almost like an oversized scroll, he gave travelers something considerably more interesting to look at than a vacancy notice. This was one roadside greeter who didn't need to say a word. 09-06

The motel stood along South Federal Boulevard and later became known as the Federal Inn. A Wyoming architectural history identifies the property as an example of the continued use of Streamline Moderne styling in roadside lodging. Between the building and its playful sign, the El Rancho had more going for it than a memorable name. Even among Wyoming's collection of Western motel marquees, this fellow stood out.

UPDATE: The original El Rancho sign has been removed and was reportedly replaced with a plastic display about a decade ago. The property continued under a different name, but its best roadside advertisement didn't make the transition. Fortunately, this photo catches the sombrero still in place and the little fellow still on duty. 06-26

Coachman Inn Motel
Green River, WY
Photo courtesy Tony Craig

There's quite a traveling party pictured on the Coachman Inn Motel marquee in Green River. Horses, coach, and driver all share space above the motel name, giving passing motorists a little scene to study before turning into the driveway. It's a fitting advertisement for a place offering a rest from the road. 09-06

The Coachman stands along East Flaming Gorge Way, part of Green River's older highway corridor. Its illustrated sign has the look of a 1960s display, although the exact installation date remains uncertain. With just 18 rooms, the motel is a fairly small operation behind a sign with plenty going on. Boat parking also suits its location near the roads leading toward Flaming Gorge country.

UPDATE: The Coachman appears to still be open at its longtime location on East Flaming Gorge Way. The city continues to list it among Green River's lodging choices. Good to see this roadside gem welcoming travelers, with a stagecoach out front recalling a much slower way of getting across Wyoming. 11-26

Buckaroo Motel (Gone)
Rawlins, WY
Photo courtesy Tony Craig

The Buckaroo Motel certainly dressed the part in Rawlins. Check out the colorful sign and the buckaroo pictured out front, giving motorists a Western welcome before they ever reached the rooms. A name like Buckaroo practically called for a character, and this little fellow helped make the motel easy to remember.

The property stood at Eighth and Spruce streets along the historic Lincoln Highway corridor. A highway resource inventory dates it to about 1945, placing its beginnings near the end of World War II. That was before Interstate 80 redirected through traffic, when travelers encountered motels, garages, and restaurants right along the streets of town. The Buckaroo's sign was built for that passing audience.

UPDATE: The Buckaroo no longer operates under its historic name. This photo preserves its colorful roadside identity, although the present fate of the character sign remains unclear. Rawlins once offered motorists a whole collection of independently named lodging stops, and the Buckaroo was one that made good use of Wyoming's Western image. 11-26