Chelsea Motel

218 S. Walnut St., Chelsea, OK
Phone:

East < GO > West

The Chelsea Motel is a private residence now, but it and the sign were added to the National Register of Historic Places in 2004. The motel represents the mom and pop motels that were so popular on Route 66 and the sign is an outstanding feature of the property.

The motel was built around 1936 and has six units. Behind the motel is a house that served as the motel office and home of the operator. Like a lot of these small mom and pop motels this one passed through several owners before finally closing.

The motel is on a triangular piece of land formed by the intersection of First Street and Route 66 (Walnut St.) where the 1929 and 1932 alignments of Route 66 meet.

The neat neon sign which was added around 1947 announces CHELSEA MOTEL in neon script with an additional sign indicating the motel is air conditioned. The second panel is shaped like an arrow and carried the neon words NO VACANCY. There is also a wooden rectangle painted with the word OFFICE and an arrow (not shown). There are neon arrows on the top.

Photo(s): 2012