Post #221672 by tikivixen on Sat, Mar 18, 2006 5:21 PM

I'm sure anyone here who digs this kinda thing and checks out websites like Roadside Peek and Roadside America regularly has seen these places, but I was in Mesa Arizona recently, and I had such a blast cruising down the old Apache Trail (vintage Highway 60), checking out the great old motel signs, that I simply had to post about it.

Naturally, as a neon nerd I took pictures and I thought I'd put up a few for your enjoyment. Like Tucson (where I was similarly entertained a few years back), Mesa has quite a few intriguing survivors. (Damn, I just realized I forgot to photo the "Lost Dutchman Lodge"--next time fer shure!)

This is my total favorite. It is soooo HUGE. I was wishing I'd had some friends with to just kinda kneel at its base in awe...yes, it still lights up and apparently looks awesome, but I wasn't able to make it out that far after dark...THIS visit.

And it's for the Starlite Motel, too--my favorite vintage motel name of all.

Where the Seven Dwarves work??

A personal favorite:

And then...there's...

THIS:

My friend Erica's not even as into old things as I am, but she told me "you have GOT to see this, it blows my mind!" and she was so right.

According to Roadside America, the Buckhorn Motel and Mineral Baths started in the late 30's. The motel was apparently built in the 40's; the amazing "Wildlife Museum" was added; dozens of picturesque cottages are scattered around the beautifully landscaped grounds in addition to the main motel building (behind the one pictured.) The place is IMMENSE. It looks like their total land parcel amounts to at least several normal-sized city blocks. There are bath buildings, parking, a huge outdoor BBQ patio, little roads and thickets and gorgeous bougainvillea plantings and palm trees. They used beautiful old riverstones to delineate every path and garden bed, and the low walls in various places were made of original, carefully mortared Indian grindstones. Apparently a desert golf course was even once part of the deal. Not to mention, of course, the mineral baths:

Back to the main building:

Here's the lobby--they still sell vintage 40's postcards..."We Welcome U"!

And, further down the walkway...The Wildlife Museum. Sigh. I took a pic or two through the window.

If you go back around the lobby you find a lovely little garden and well...

Those original metal lawn chairs are all over the place; every cabin has one in fact. And the little stone castle--there are several more of those scattered around the grounds as well.

According to various online sources, the original owner of the Buckhorn still owns it and resides there (as of late last year anyway.) A couple of years ago, she got too old and tired to run the baths and museum and had to close them. She is apparently 98 years old. Word is her offspring have no interest in continuing with the business when she passes away.

So...we all know what's next.

The dreaded...Walmart. :cry:

This place is living history. It shouldn't die, but it probably will. If there's ANYONE out there who wants to buy it and live happily ever after there--please, please do. It's not just picturesque (although frankly I think the Buckhorn gives new meaning to the word!!!). It's not just vintage cool. There's just the most wonderful aura of peace and tranquility all around the place. That, and so much more I don't even have words for. It is a walk back in time. I urge any of you who can see it before it goes--don't hesitate, make time and do it.

And by the way, there's a "Big Apple" restaurant right back down the road for dinner afterwards! :) They're having their 50th anniversary this year and the both the Western decor and food--are GREAT!!! (Note shadowy Big Steer image above lit neon...MOO!!! Let's EAT!!!)