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email: roadarch@outlook.com |
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| Mid-Century Modern Buildings: Astro Motels |
(hit "refresh" to get the most recent version of this page; click on photos for larger images)
| The first Astro Motel buildings were built in 1962. I believe the design is that of Frank Schneider. The chain had many locations in California, Arizona, Texas, and Utah by the early 1960s. The chain may have expanded to the Midwest since there is a surviving location in Hutchinson, KS (see below). The examples below are organized alphabetically by state. |
| former Astro Motel Willcox, AZ |
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| This former Astro Motel has been known as the Sands Motel for many years. There was chain link fencing around the property when these photos were taken in 2012. By 2023, the chain link was gone and the building had been painted. It remains vacant. [map] |
| former Astro Motel Winslow, AZ |
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| This former Astro Motel is now known as the Motel 10. [map] |
| former Astro Motel Kingman, AZ |
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| This former Astro Motel is one of the best-preserved examples of the motel chain. It is now known as the Orchard Inn Motel. Before becoming the Orchard Inn, it was called the Friendship Inn Space Age Motel. The motel and sign were repainted around 2016. For more, see this website. [map] |
| Astro Motel Pasadena, CA 2013: |
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| This Astro Motel was built in 1962 and has lots of original features. The canopy's boomerang support feature was part of the chain's earliest building design which was created by Neuman & Associates. I don't believe any other examples of this still exist. I don't believe any of the metal Astro Motel letters are still on public display either. In 2016, the motel was briefly known as a Knights Inn. It was then updated and reopened as the Astro Pasadena Hotel. [map] |
| former Astro Motel Mojave, CA |
former Astro Motel Glendale, CA |
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This former Astro Motel in Mojave had been known as the Best Motel since at least 2008. It now houses the Erth Inn. [map]
This former Astro Motel in Glendale was known as the Glen Capri Inn & Suites for many years. The vintage sign was gone by then. In 2017, the building began housing the Hotel Xilo Glendale. For more, see this website. [map] |
| Astro Motel Barstow, CA |
Astro Motel San Bernardino, CA |
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The Astro Motel in Barstow is now known as the Astro Budget Motel. For more, see this website. [map]
The Astro Motel in San Bernardino features an intact sign, zig-zag roofline, and extended canopy. [map] |
| former Astro Motel Blythe, CA |
former Astro Motel Antioch, CA |
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This former Astro Motel in Blythe housed the Solar City Inn & Suites in 2015. It was still an Astro Motel until at least 2010. By 2019, the building was housing a Motel 6. The Astro Motel sign is gone. For more, see these websites: 1 and 2. [map]
This former Astro Motel in Antioch is now known as the Executive Inn. The sign was adapted. For more, see these websites: 1 and 2. [map] |
| former Astro Motel Santa Rosa, CA |
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| This former Astro Motel was built in 1963. In 2017, the motel was purchased and a thorough renovation took place. Now known as "The Astro", the rooms feature vintage mid-century furniture and fixtures. The sign and circuit board inspired railings are new. The sign is topped with an anemometer which measures wind speed. For more, see these websites: 1, 2, 3, and 4. [map] |
| former Astro Motel La Junta, CO |
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| This former Astro Motel in now houses the Stagecoach Motel. [map] |
| former Astro Motel Hutchinson, KS |
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| This Astro Motel in Hutchinson was still operating with the original name until around 2021. It is now known as the Sky Palace Inn & Suites. This motel and the one in Dodge City below are the only locations that I know of that were built in the Midwest. There are several Astro Motels in Texas but I don't believe they were part of this chain since their signs and building styles do not match. The vertical plastic panel on this Hutchinson pole sign has been broken since around 2019. It remains even with the new name on a smaller sign at ground level. The building was repainted in 2022. [map] |
| Astro Motel Dodge City, KS |
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| This Astro Motel was built in 1965. It was a Budget Motor Inn by 2007. After that, it was an Americas Best Value Inn and then a Rodeway Inn. It became an Executive Inn around 2021. [map] |
| former Astro Motel Plainview, TX |
former Astro Motel Cedar City, UT |
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This former Astro Motel in Plainview now houses the Warrick Plaza Inn. [map]
This former Astro Motel in Cedar City housed the Best Travel Inn when this photo was taken in 2014. It is now a Rodeway Inn. For more, see these websites: 1 and 2. [map] |
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Other Astro Motels:
Longview, TX [map] If you know of any other surviving Astro Motel buildings, I'd love to know about them. |
| Imperial 400 Motels |
Hyatt Chalet Motels & Hyatt Lodges |
Other Mid-Century Motel Chains |
Mid-Century Modern Buildings Main Page |
| RoadsideArchitecture.com |
Copyright. All photos at this website are copyrighted and may only be used with my consent. This includes posting them at Facebook, Pinterest, blogs, other websites, personal use, etc. Tips & Updates. If you have suggestions about places that I haven't covered, historical info, or updates about places/things that have been remodeled or removed, I'd love to hear from you: roadarch@outlook.com. |