Yucca Motel

Please position yourself in front of the Yucca Motel signage, across from the Plaza Hotel & Casino signage.

The yucca plant, native to the Mojave Desert, inspired the theme and design of the Yucca Motel and its iconic signage, from its sharp leaves to the blooming white flower that rises upward from its top. Designed in 1953, the Yucca Motel sign is emblematic of mid-century modern architecture, promoting sleek and functional compositions while embracing soft curves, geometric shapes, and bold colors. The triangular shape of the sign itself serves a tangible purpose, directing drivers and passersby towards the location of the motel, a design trend common to motels of the period.

In the wake of the post-World War II economic boom, more Americans found themselves traveling across the country on road trips to popular tourist destinations like Las Vegas, and motels emerged to meet their lodging needs. This rise of roadside motels occurred alongside the emergence of car culture and the development of the Federal Interstate Highway System, both in the 1950s. Motels—a portmanteau of “motor hotels”—were originally plain and functional buildings, which offered reliable lodging and free parking facilities. Their rooms were arranged in low-profile structures with parking available directly outside. As their popularity grew, motels—such as the Yucca Motel—began to incorporate unique, regional aesthetics to attract potential guests.