August 12, 2005

Roadside signs. Covering a wide range of the US, this site has vintage signs from hotels, motels, ice cream stands, and more. There's background information where she could find it, plus link to sites with more details on specific topics.

For example, the Royal Host Motel in Denver (scroll about halfway down) has a link to here, (second item on the page) where you can read about one of the strangest places I ever spent the night.

posted by patita 19 years ago
  • I'm kinda torn - I like the signs in the pictures but most signage I wish would go away so I could see the trees & landscape. (i.e. DC) But I do want to hear the story of the royal host motel! Seedy crack deal? pr0no shoot? ;)
  • Ah, nothing so colorful. It was just a cheap place to stay 2 blocks from the Fillmore while in Denver to see a show there (and the name is so classic). That part of Colfax is still a rough area--moreso at night. The place was decrepit, but the guy working the front desk was kind as could be. He asked if we were "with the band", so I guess it must be popular with low budget touring musicians. The cleaning staff looked like they'd had really hard lives. I was entirely unsurprised to learn that various murders and drug deals had occured on the premises.
  • Cool link patita! I like stuff like this. Reminded me of one of my favorite signs, the Super Elephant Car Wash in Seattle. And I agree completely with your sentiment petebest.
  • Strange, I was just looking at the ghost signs page and wishing that I had taken pictures of some of the signs in Boise before they were removed/distroyed. Old neon signs are cool, too. Why is it the old stuff has character and interest, but the new crap is just UGLY? Thanks for the linkita, Patita
  • Excellent link, patita. I was glad to see two of the DC signs are in my old neighbourhood! hurrah.