12 Vintage Roadside Motels That Have Disappeared
These forgotten motels were once beacons of roadside hospitality, now reduced to memories, photos, and flickering neon nostalgia.
- Alyana Aguja
- 4 min read
Across America’s vast highways, vintage motels once thrived as rest stops for dreamers, drifters, and families on the move. These uniquely styled lodgings carried not just weary travelers but also the spirit of a bygone era, when driving was an adventure and neon signs were landmarks. Though most are gone, their stories linger in faded postcards, whispered recollections, and rusting highway signs left behind.
1. The Zia Motor Lodge – Albuquerque, New Mexico
Image from Wikipedia
Opened in 1946 on the famed Route 66, the Zia Motor Lodge was a beacon for weary travelers with its colorful neon Zia sun symbol and cozy adobe-style rooms. It thrived for decades before falling victim to the decline of Route 66 and the rise of urban development. The lodge was demolished in 2003, leaving behind only photos and scattered pieces of signage in collectors’ hands.
2. The Coral Court Motel – St. Louis, Missouri
Image from Wikipedia
Famous for its sleek Art Deco style and glass brick walls, the Coral Court Motel opened in 1941 and quickly gained notoriety for its mysterious guests and romantic rendezvous. It became an icon along Route 66, even inspiring short stories and music. It closed in 1993 and was razed shortly after, despite preservationists’ efforts to save it.
3. The Aztec Motel – Albuquerque, New Mexico
Image from Wikipedia
This quirky motel, with its folk art-covered walls and funky color schemes, was one of the oldest motels on Route 66, built in 1932. Locals and tourists adored its eccentric charm and eclectic decor that evolved over the years. It was bulldozed in 2011, despite its listing on the National Register of Historic Places.
4. The Holiday Motel – Las Vegas, Nevada
Image from Wikipedia
The Holiday Motel once stood proudly on Las Vegas Boulevard, its flashing neon palm tree sign guiding gamblers and honeymooners to its colorful, affordable rooms. Opened in the early 1950s, it captured the spirit of classic Vegas. Sadly, it was shuttered and demolished by the 2010s to make way for redevelopment.
5. The Bel-Aire Motel – Springfield, Illinois
Image from Wikipedia
The Bel-Aire Motel stood for over 50 years along Route 66, its retro script sign becoming a familiar landmark. Travelers loved its 1950s time-capsule vibe and clean, friendly service. It closed in 2017 and was demolished soon after, with its sign preserved in a local museum.
6. The Blue Swallow Motel (Annex Units) – Tucumcari, New Mexico
Image from Wikipedia
While the original Blue Swallow Motel still operates, its annex units down the block did not survive. Built to expand the motel’s popularity in the 1950s, the annex had fewer charms and less upkeep over time. They were torn down in the early 2000s, though their memory lingers in old postcards.
7. The Thunderbird Motel – Kansas City, Missouri
Image from Wikipedia
With its towering neon thunderbird and Southwest-themed décor, this motel stood out on the city’s East side. Opened in the mid-century boom, it eventually fell into disrepair amid rising crime and neglect. It was demolished in the late 1990s, erasing a once-bold piece of roadside Americana.
8. The Linco Court – Springfield, Missouri
Image from Wikipedia
Built in the 1930s, the Linco Court was one of the first motels in the Ozarks and served generations of travelers. Its charming brick cottages and shaded lot offered a restful break from the road. It was demolished in the 1990s after years of abandonment.
9. The Tropic Motel – Los Angeles, California
Image from Wikipedia
Tucked into a once-vibrant stretch of Sunset Boulevard, the Tropic Motel boasted a tropical flair with palm murals and a pool surrounded by banana trees. It served as a film location and a last resort for down-on-their-luck actors. It vanished in the 2000s, replaced by a sterile apartment complex.
10. The Apache Motel – Tucumcari, New Mexico
Image from Wikipedia
A lesser-known Route 66 stop, the Apache Motel drew attention with its stylized indigenous iconography and simple, affordable lodging. Over time, neglect and changing travel patterns took their toll. It was razed in the 2010s, now just another empty lot.
11. The Town House Motel – Reno, Nevada
Image from Wikipedia
The Town House Motel was a mid-century motor inn with a giant neon arrow sign and a reputation for no-frills comfort. Popular in the 1950s and ’60s, it faded as Reno’s downtown evolved. It closed permanently in 2011 and was eventually demolished.
12. The Desert Hills Motel (West Annex) – Tulsa, Oklahoma
Image from Wikipedia
The original Desert Hills Motel still stands proudly, but its west annex, built during the 1960s expansion wave, wasn’t as lucky. These additional units fell into disrepair, plagued by flooding and foundation issues. They were torn down in the 2000s, leaving the main structure as a nostalgic survivor.