I can’t say I would be tempted to stay in some of the motels located along Route 66 in Albuquerque, New Mexico. A few are houses of ill repute and the illegal drug trade while others have been shut down for these reasons.
But the kitschy Americana signs of a bygone era are art of the Atomic Age. They represent the great American road trip for which Route 66 is the icon. The famed highway, which runs from Chicago to Los Angeles, was the main artery for travel by car before freeways and interstates superseded it during the second half of last century.
I love how the services offered remain retro--color cable TV, for example. Do they even make black and white televisions anymore? There were no signs for free wifi.
It was a well spent afternoon in the blazing August heat photographing them.
Many of the motels are being torn down although there is a movement to restore and preserve some to their former glory.
But the kitschy Americana signs of a bygone era are art of the Atomic Age. They represent the great American road trip for which Route 66 is the icon. The famed highway, which runs from Chicago to Los Angeles, was the main artery for travel by car before freeways and interstates superseded it during the second half of last century.
I love how the services offered remain retro--color cable TV, for example. Do they even make black and white televisions anymore? There were no signs for free wifi.
It was a well spent afternoon in the blazing August heat photographing them.
Many of the motels are being torn down although there is a movement to restore and preserve some to their former glory.
5 comments:
Still a dream of mine, to travel crosscountry via Route 66. Such fun.
Haven't yet done a big road trip in the US... would love to and these signs are certainly an inspiration to do it..
Lola and Catherine, I would also love to travel cross country. One day.
very cool, very retro!!
Wow! These motel signs really looked so classic and retro and I think the owners of these motels have sense of style and elegance. It's also nice to see the structure of these signs. They are well-built, have unique designs and its stainless steel wing seals are enough to support even the bigger ones.
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