A piece of east Pasadena and Route 66 history is gone. Over the weekend the classic Hi-way Host sign, probably there since 1957, was replaced. The classic old sign is pictured above. The new sign, as photographed this morning, is below.
Normally a change-out in motel signage wouldn’t stir much interest. But, this humble motel happens to be on historic Route 66. On the Mother Road, such modest things as motel signs, motor courts and diners, with a little imagination, can transport us back in history. They are remnants of mid-century Americana, of great road trips and of a time when the country’s population flowed unceasingly West.
It also happens that the Mother Road has a Centennial coming up. Next year will be 100 years since Route 66 was officially opened. On November 11, 1926, the part-paved, part-dirt Route 66 opened for passage from Chicago to Santa Monica.
So, it should not surprise anyone that this unassuming Hi-Way Host Motel sign is (now was) quite popular. In fact, it was often photographed and highlighted as a point of interest when passing through east Pasadena.
In their recent Route 66 guide, noted Pasadena artists Victor Ving and Lisa Beggs photographed significant and historical signs along East Colorado Blvd. Among other signs, they included a photo of the classic Hi-way Host Motel sign.
The classic Hi-way Host Motel sign was also widely photographed and noted in other Route 66 guides. Discovering Americana, the Route 66 Times, Route-66.com, Waymarking the Mother Road and other sites all noted the Hi-way Host sign as an important point of interest.
Likewise, the massive Roadside Architecture website includes a survey of historic California signs. The classic Hi-way Host Motel sign earned a photo in that luminous catalogue alongside other recognizable historic signs.
Sad to say that the old classic sign will be missed. Over the next year many people will motor down East Colorado Blvd./Route 66 looking for signs and remnants of the old Mother Road. The classic Hi-way Host sign will be gone.
Though the vintage Hi-Way Host sign is gone, others still remain. There’s the Pasada Motel across the street and further down the road the Whistle Stop, Fedde and Surplus signs, each of which the City of Pasadena protects as a designated historic sign.
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