ROADSIDE HUDSON VALLEY
While New York State has seen its fair share of architectural turnover through the last century, some incredible signage and structures remain along the Hudson River. The visual culture and design of this mid-century era has been largely extinguished over time and its prevalence in New York is not very well known. I thought, what better way to capture these classic facades than with instant film, an untouched encapsulation of the sights as they still stand before nature or a bulldozer chews them up forever. The following was captured on numerous formats, including Polaroid 600, SX-70, Spectra, and Instax Wide/Square.
Ardsley Acres Motel (Ardsley) - A classic sight along the New York State thruway, which recently was featured in The Irishman for its vintage look. The motel retains multiple functioning neon signs and an out-of-time vibe.
Quinlan Motel (Colonie) - A decommissioned sign in front of the converted apartments. The entire establishment (and the sign) has seen better days - it may not be here for long.
Lawrence Motel (Schenectady) - This old motel is still taking visitors and the awesome signage remains one of the more iconic sights in the area.
87 Motel (New Paltz) - The 87 Motel itself is no longer with us, but the sign remains an iconic roadside sight of the town.
Storm King Theatre (Cornwall-on-Hudson) - Though the theater has since been replaced with a restaurant, the Storm King sign not only miraculously still looks amazing but also continues to buzz with light.
American Auto Glass (Albany) - This business still boasts two phenomenal neon signs and coincidentally sits beside a still-standing 50s diner which matches the color scheme.
Westgate Shopping Center (Albany) - Locals have gone as far as to lobby for this sign to be demolished because it makes the mall feel “outdated.” Come on folks, maybe just don’t.
Golden Arrow Car Wash (Albany) - True to its name, this Albany benchmark is one of several such relics along Central Avenue.
Terrace Motel (Ellenville) - A former beauty in worse and worse shape with every passing day, this rusted relic barely still stands.
Lafayette Theater (Suffern) - Built in 1923, this theater has remained a bedrock of the town with a perfectly maintained marquee to match.
Jericho Drive-in Theater (Glenmont) - A rare sight, this drive-in theater first lit up that sign in 1957.
Star Lite Motel (Kerhonkson) - The 1985 horror film “The Stuff” filmed here, and while the huge “MOTEL” letters no longer illuminate, the road sign is still going! Starlight Motel (Kerhonkson) - A 60s motorlodge under new ownership who are investing quite a bit into its restoration. Also see below.
Huck Finn’s Playland (Albany) - For more, see lower on page
Martin’s Motel (Ravena) - A non-functioning sign bludgeoned by time, the business itself is now called Martin’s “Hotel.”
Bear Mountain Bridge Motel (Fort Montgomery) - Built in 1922 with a beautiful signage update in the 50s, the new owners see this great sign as a welcomed (but expensive) tourist attraction.
Huck Finn’s Playland (Albany)
Turf and Spa Motel (Saratoga Springs)
Valley Acres Garden Center (Saratoga Springs)
Lawrence Motel (Schenectady)
Community Court Motel (Saratoga Springs)
Morrette’s (Schenectady) - Opened in 1947 and almost demolished in 2014, this sign still stands lit today (I need that steak sandwich).
Englebardt's Liquor (Schenectady) - A fixture in the Schenectady community and an essential resource for nearby Union College students.
Wheeler’s Liquor (Albany)
Beacon Car Wash (Beacon)
West Taghkanic Diner (Ancram)
Village Motel (Ellenville)
The Hastings Theater (Hastings-on-Hudson) - Opened in 1920, this former movie theater is now a group of retail spaces, but luckily they have retained the legendary marquee.
Community Theater (Catskill)
Madison Theater (Albany)
Paramount Theater (Peekskill) - Opened in 1930 and still functions in a big way today. Signage and interior were restored in 2006 thanks to a $1 million grant from the state of New York.
Saveway (White Plains) - One of the oldest launderers in Westchester County, Saveway has been ticking since 1960. It retains it’s very long neon marquee which stretches along the length of the building. Though the letters might need some servicing, this classic neon attraction is still buzzing after 60 years.
Snow Man (Troy) - A thriving ice cream shop for over 50 years, the incredibly unique dairy-addicted snow man neon remains in spectacular shape.
Orchard Tavern (Albany) - One of the oldest neon signs in the Capital Region appropriately dangling a 117-year-old tavern (absolutely nuts). Orchard Tavern’s glowing letters are unfortunately guarded by metal grids, but I’ll take the tradeoff for this sign to keep ticking.
Hoyer’s Ice Cream (West Haverstraw) - For 70 years, Hoyer’s has been a roadside magnet in Rockland County. Its neon signs still proudly stand, smartly serving as attractions unto themselves.
Lark Tavern (Albany)
John’s Bar & Grill (Hastings-on-Hudson)
Marinelli Drugs (Elmsford)
Miller Drugs (Nyack)
Boulevard Bowl (Schenectady) - This bowling alley first opened shop in the early 60s. Its awesome marquee survives today.
Center Restaurant (Hastings-on-Hudson) - One of the few still-operating neon signs this low in the Hudson Valley, this bad boy has seen better days but continues to pipe its green and red lights (most days).
Getty (Hastings-on-Hudson) - This vintage Getty sign remains up despite now being an independent auto-repair shop.
Venuti’s Deli (Elmsford) - This 45-year-old neon sign is still plugging away and sits beneath an awesome hand-painted sign.
Sawyer Motel (Saugerties)
Greenburgh Multiplex (Elmsford) - Closed in 2018 (soon to be demolished), the classic theater will be replaced with a grocery store.
Telerama (New Rochelle)
Pete’s Saloon (Elmsford)