On our recent Michigan Road trip, we whizzed right by the South Bend Motel. It was cold, we were tired, and some of the neon was out on this great old sign anyway. Not much new to photograph. So these photos are from earlier road trips. Above, 2009; below, 2007.
Fortunately, little has changed (except the non-functioning neon). This little motel has been plugging away here for as long as I can remember. I grew up less than a mile away.
This motel is on the Michigan Road (and Dixie Highway and Old US 31) on South Bend’s south side. It’s always stood alone in this heavily residential neighborhood. Here’s a daylight shot of its sign.
Online reviews of this place range from “cheap but decent” to “dirty rooms and rude staff.” So if you ever decide to stay, set your expectations accordingly.
I’ve documented Indiana’s historic Michigan Road extensively. To read all about it, click here.
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They just don’t make signs like these anymore. What a treasure!!
It’s amazing to me that it’s survived all these years. It was there before I was born – in 1967!
It does make you wonder how some survive and others don’t make it. Fabulous find. Thanks for sharing!!!
Odd little motel sitting in the middle of a residential neighborhood.
Looking at it objectively — yes, very odd. I suppose when it was built, the road that ran by it was US 31 and got lots of traffic. All of my life US 31 has bypassed town to the west, and somehow this place continues to eke out an existence.
We lived about a block from it … it was a very “busy” place for “short stays” … if you know what I mean. I believe there was a murder there many years ago.
I remember your house on Michigan St., with the upstairs kitchen.
Judging by the reviews on Yelp I’m sure the place still has the same kind of trade as back then.
Actually that house was later … it was out in Scottsdale additional by the fairgrounds. When we were on south Michigan street we were just a few houses north of the motel.
So long ago – so easy to forget!
So interesting – a treasure from the past not yet lost.
Yes! I hope they fix the neon and restore this sign to full glory.