10 Deserted Motels In Nevada That Are Straight Out Of The 1960s
Nevada’s highways once buzzed with travelers seeking adventure in the Silver State, and colorful neon-lit motels welcomed weary road trippers with open arms.
Many of these groovy establishments from the swinging sixties now sit empty, their vintage signs either demolished or preserved in museums. These forgotten roadside spots tell fascinating stories of America’s golden age of automobile travel.
Pack your curiosity as we explore ten spectacular abandoned motels that perfectly capture the spirit of 1960s Nevada.
1. White Sands Motel – The Strip’s Lost Classic
Picture this: a classic roadside motel that once graced countless postcards of the pre-megaresort Las Vegas Strip. White Sands Motel stood proudly across from the Luxor, serving as a nostalgic reminder of simpler times when neon signs ruled the desert landscape.
Sadly, this beloved landmark met its final curtain call in December 2024. The demolition happened so quickly that proper permits weren’t even secured, leaving behind only memories and a vacant lot where travelers once rested their heads after long desert drives.
2. Orbit Inn – Downtown’s Space-Age Wonder
Blast off to 1963, when the Orbit Inn opened its doors with the most spectacular space-age rocket-and-globe neon sign downtown Las Vegas had ever seen.
Famous writer Tom Wolfe praised it as the perfect example of Vegas flamboyance, and honestly, who could argue with that cosmic charm.
The motel closed in 1987 and vanished completely by 2012. Today, the trendy Container Park occupies the site, creating quite the contrast between yesterday’s retro-futuristic dreams and today’s hipster hangout spot.
3. La Concha Motel – The Googie Masterpiece
Architect Paul Revere Williams created pure magic in 1961 with La Concha Motel’s swooping shell-shaped lobby, a stunning example of Googie architecture that defined an entire era.
This wasn’t just a place to sleep; it was a work of art that made every guest feel like they’d stepped into the future.
While the motel rooms disappeared in 2005, the iconic lobby found new life as the Neon Museum’s visitors’ center.
Smart move, preserving this architectural gem where future generations can appreciate its timeless beauty and innovative design.
4. Yucca Motel – The Neon Blade Beauty
Nothing says classic Americana like the Yucca Motel’s textbook neon blade sign that once sliced through the Las Vegas night sky.
Opening in the 1950s, this motor court perfectly captured the golden age of road trips when families packed station wagons for cross-country adventures.
The motel shut down in the late 2000s, but its gorgeous sign found sanctuary at the Neon Museum.
Sometimes the most beautiful parts of our past deserve special care, and this restored beacon continues lighting up visitors’ imaginations with its vintage charm.
5. Chief Hotel Court – Downtown’s Motor Court Legend
Step back to downtown’s heyday when the Chief Hotel Court reigned as one of the area’s most beloved motor courts. The original sign dated back to around 1940, but the mid-century motel boom transformed it into a true icon of roadside hospitality.
Although the motel buildings vanished decades ago, the restored original sign now operates proudly at the Neon Museum.
It’s wonderful how these vintage treasures find new homes where their stories can continue inspiring travelers and history buffs who appreciate authentic Americana.
6. Fremont Motel – East Side’s Motor Court Gem
Fremont East’s famous “motel row” once boasted numerous low-slung motor courts, and the Fremont Motel stood as a prime example with its classic marquee welcoming road-weary travelers.
This stretch of highway represented the golden age when motels competed for attention with colorful signs and friendly service.
The final chapter closed between December 2022 and January 2023 when demolition crews arrived. For a brief moment, the vintage signage lingered during teardown, giving photographers one last chance to capture this piece of disappearing roadside history.
7. Golden West Motor Lodge – Reno’s Highway 40 Classic
Reno’s historic Highway 40 corridor once buzzed with travelers, and Golden West Motor Lodge served as a perfect example of mid-century motor lodge hospitality.
This establishment embodied the spirit of the open road when cross-country travel meant discovering authentic local businesses along America’s great highways.
September 2016 marked the end of an era when demolition crews cleared this lodge along with other aging properties on 4th Street.
Sometimes progress requires difficult decisions, but the memories of these roadside gems continue living in the hearts of those who experienced their vintage charm.
8. Heart o’ Town Motel – Reno’s 1960 Time Capsule
Built in 1960, Heart o’ Town Motel perfectly captured the optimistic spirit of the new decade with its classic neon motor-court layout.
The name itself reflected the welcoming attitude of an era when motel owners took pride in making travelers feel at home, right in the heart of downtown Reno.
Years of abandonment led to its demolition in September 2016, part of Reno’s broader motel teardown wave.
While these changes modernize the city, they also erase tangible connections to our automotive tourism heritage and the golden age of American road culture.
9. El Ray Motel – The Old Route 40 Survivor
El Ray Motel embodied the quintessential mid-century roadside aesthetic that made old U.S. Route 40 legendary among road trip enthusiasts.
Located between Arlington and West Street, this establishment served countless travelers exploring Nevada’s scenic highways during the golden age of automobile tourism.
The year 2018 brought demolition alongside other aging 4th Street motels like the Keno and Star of Reno.
These teardowns marked the end of Reno’s classic motel district, closing a colorful chapter in the city’s hospitality history and American roadside culture.
10. Lone Star Motel – Wells’ Hollywood Desert Star
Fame found this archetypal desert motor court when Hollywood chose it as a filming location for the 2001 thriller “Joy Ride.”
Lone Star Motel perfectly captured the essence of mid-century highway travel, with its weathered facade and vintage signage creating an authentic backdrop for cinematic storytelling.
Today, photographers and urban explorers document this abandoned property along the old US-40/I-80 corridor.
While no longer welcoming guests, it continues serving as a powerful symbol of America’s roadside heritage, frozen in time like a vintage postcard from Nevada’s golden highway era.