Soo-Paw Motel

Submitted by Markydoodle June 5th, 2011
Certifikitsch Winner

Trenton.   No, not  Trenton, NJ.   Trenton, Nebraska.  220-ish miles north-east of Denver.    The S00-Paw Motel.  My Grandmother told me once that she and Gramps would drive here and spend the night occasionally.  It’s 23 miles from the house she lived in for 72 years in McCook, NE.

I found this exterior picture of the motel online.  It’s obviously from the boarding house becomes a motel school.  I’ve no idea what the rooms look like, and don’t know anything about the history of the place.  I do love the sign, and one of these days if I make the drive at night I might stay there and get a picture of the neon.

5 Responses to “Soo-Paw Motel”

  1. Allee Willis

    Love this place, the sign especially. The place itself doesn’t really look like a motel as you point out. I would’ve really hoped for some teepees given the name of the place but the sign is good enough to make me overlook that.

    I love when motels still advertise that they have air conditioning. In this day and age is there any kind of motel that would not have air conditioning?

    • Mark Milligan

      I laughed out loud as usual when I saw your comment about the teepees, then it hit me-there used to be at least one out front, and maybe a couple. They were just for decoration-or maybe overflow.

      The actual history of the name would be in relation to a battle that took place between the Sioux and the Pawnee Native American Tribes.
      Less than 10 miles away, along what is now called Massacre Canyon, the last battle between the Pawnee and Sioux was fought August 5, 1873. Sources say Principal chiefs were- Pawnee: Sky Chief, Sun Chief, Fighting Bear. Sioux: Spotted Tail, Little Would, Two Strikes.

      I love the names of the chiefs, don’t you? Two Strikes!

  2. kookykrafts

    These old signs are so beautiful. The world would be a better place if they started making them like this again (except they are so expensive to make/purchase).