Spiking Tourist Lodge

Spiking Tourist Lodge , a photo by Dornoff Photography on Flickr.

A sign from another one of the older classic motels along State Street in Salt Lake City which is also US Highway 89 and used to also be US Highway 91/

Temple City Motel

Temple City Motel , a photo by Dornoff Photography on Flickr.

Lovely sign on a motel that is on State Street which is US Highway 89 and formally US Highway 91.

No Vacancy

No Vacancy
Originally uploaded by Dornoff Photography

Ok, I promised you no more fireworks pictures so here is something different to look at.

The other day I had to drive down to Fillmore, Utah and back. On the way back I drove through Nephi, Utah. While driving through town I saw this motel that has now been closed (I believe it was still open the last time I drove through a year ago or so but I could be wrong).

This motel sits along what was US Highway 91 before Interstate 15 came along. While this motel survived long after the Interstate came along it could not survive the influx of cookie cutter chain motels.

Long Dead but still around

Fedco Sign in Colton, California
Originally uploaded by Dornoff Photography

In November 2006 when my wife and I were on extended vacation in Southern California to visit family plus hit some sights, we passed this sign but we did not have the opportunity to stop since we were on our way to visit my Uncle.

In October, 2007 we made another trip down there before taking Amtrak's Coast Starlight up to Seattle so I made sure to have a few minutes to get a picture of this sign.

So what's so special about this sign.

Well for those that are not familiar with the company, Fedco was a chain of stores (I think there were similar to a K-Mart of the time but I am not sure since I never was in one). However, this chain died probably 20 or 25 years ago.

So the fact that this sign which is near the San Bernardino/Colton on Mt. Vernon along what was US Highway 91 is still around is amazing. A friendly reminder of retailing history much like the old Woolworth store in Bakersfield, California that is now an antique store but still has the Woolworth sign and trim.