 Mecca Motel
Colorado Springs, CO
Photo courtesy Larry Glass
The Mecca Motel has one of those signs that is hard to drive past without noticing. Between the unique lettering and the giant starburst perched on top, the marquee has a style all its own. It's the kind of sign that instantly transports you back to the days when independent motels competed for attention with neon, creativity, and a little bit of flair.
 (Right) The amazing looking marquee for the Mecca Motel, complete with unique lettering and a prominent starburst. (Near left) A closer look at the sign courtesy Jeffrey Cook. 10-07
UPDATE: Here's a shot of the Mecca Motel marquee on a nice sunny day in the Rockies. Many thanks to Lizabeth Salinas of the
Mecca Motel for photo. 01-08
Mecca Motel marquee
Colorado Springs, CO
Photo courtesy Lizabeth Salinass
UPDATE: The good news is that the Mecca Motel is still around. Even better, the iconic starburst sign remains standing and continues to light up Colorado Avenue. In a world where too many classic motel signs have disappeared, the Mecca remains one of Colorado Springs' roadside treasures. 06-26
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 Chief Motel (Demolished)
Colorado Springs,
CO
Photo courtesy Larry Glass
The Chief Motel was quite a sight to see. Located in Colorado Springs, the sign featured an animated neon display that made it stand out from nearly everything around it.
There were many late nights when I found myself photographing this classic sign and motel. The Chief was one of those places that always seemed worth another stop, especially after dark when the neon came alive. I still remember one evening while setting up for photos when someone suddenly jumped out of the nearby brush and startled me half to death. Looking back, those late-night photography adventures are some of my favorite memories from the road.
The Chief Motel opened in 1955 and became a familiar landmark along South Nevada Avenue for decades. Its animated marquee helped make it one of the most recognizable motel signs in Colorado Springs. 10-07
UPDATE: Well, like many good things the Chief Motel is gone. The property was demolished in 2016, bringing an end to a long-running roadside landmark. The animated sign had already lost its original neon animation a few years earlier, making photographs like this a long lost reminder to a simpler time. 06-26
 Circle S Motel
Colorado Springs,
CO
Photo courtesy Larry Glass
Not sure what the little character on top of the sign is doing, but it certainly helps make the Circle S Motel stand out from the crowd. There are plenty of vintage motel signs out there, but few feature a mascot quite like this one. Whether he's climbing the sign, balancing on it, or simply hanging around to greet travelers, the character gives the marquee a personality all its own. It's the kind of detail that makes you stop, take a second look, and maybe even pull over for a photo. 10-07
 UPDATE: The Circle S Motel is still alive and well off the roadside in Colorado Springs. 01-13
UPDATE: The Circle S Motel is still standing and continues to welcome travelers in Colorado Springs. Better yet, the motel's distinctive sign and mysterious little mascot remain intact, preserving another piece of the city's roadside history. 06-26
Circle S Motel
Photo courtesy Robin McCracken
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 Gables Motel
Colorado Springs,
CO
Photo courtesy Larry Glass
The Gables Motel was one of the more eye-catching motels in Colorado Springs. By day, the sign was hard to miss. By night, the neon helped light up the boulevard and made the motel a familiar landmark for travelers passing through town.
Colorado Springs once had no shortage of independent motels and neon signs, but the Gables always stood out to me. It was one of those places that seemed to fit perfectly into the roadside landscape and looked especially good after dark when the sign was fully illuminated. 10-07
UPDATE: The Gables Motel has long since closed. The vintage roadside sign was removed roughly a decade ago, and by 2024 the former motel property sat boarded up and fenced off. Today, photographs like this serve as a reminder of a time when neon signs helped give Colorado Springs' motel corridors a little more character. 06-26
 Silver Saddle Motel
Manitou Springs, CO
Photo courtesy Larry Glass
Here's another motel delight found in Manitou Springs. The Silver Saddle Motel advertises its convenient services and amenities, including hot tubs.
One of the things I enjoy about signs like this is how they proudly advertise what was important to travelers at the time. Whether it was color TV, air conditioning, swimming pools, or hot tubs, motel owners wanted motorists to know exactly why they should pull in for the night. The Silver Saddle's sign is a great reminder of that era of roadside competition.
Like many of the independent motels found throughout Manitou Springs, the Silver Saddle has managed to retain much of its roadside charm while continuing to welcome travelers passing through town. 10-07
UPDATE: The Silver Saddle Motel remains in operation today and continues to serve visitors to Manitou Springs. Better yet, the vintage roadside marquee remains standing out front, preserving another piece of the city's colorful roadside history. 06-26
 Frontier Motel (Demolished)
Colorado Springs, CO
Photo courtesy Larry Glass
The Frontier Motel and its marquee once greeted visitors arriving in Colorado Springs. With its western-themed name and classic roadside sign, it felt right at home along North Nevada Avenue during the heyday of automobile travel.
Places like the Frontier were once common sights along America's highways. Independent motels competed for attention with distinctive signs, memorable names, and the promise of a comfortable night's stay after a long day on the road. The Frontier Motel was one of many that helped define the roadside character of Colorado Springs. 10-07
UPDATE: The Frontier Motel is gone. Both the motel and its vintage roadside marquee have been demolished, leaving photographs like this as a reminder of another piece of Colorado Springs' disappearing roadside landscape. 06-26
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