Photographed in Kingman, Arizona, this image features the legendary El Trovatore Motel, one of the oldest continuously operating motels on Route 66. Built in 1939, it became a favorite stop for travelers and Hollywood stars making the westward drive. Its bold neon sign, visible for miles, still welcomes guests to this desert crossroads.
Created using the wet plate collodion process, the photograph highlights the surface details of the stucco walls, hand-painted lettering, and aging neon tubing. The silver tones of the plate emphasize the interplay of light, texture, and time — turning a still-working motel into a portrait of American endurance.
Part of the NomadType Route 66 series, El Trovatore Motel honors the preservation of roadside architecture and the communities that continue to keep the Mother Road alive.
Photographed in Kingman, Arizona, this image features the legendary El Trovatore Motel, one of the oldest continuously operating motels on Route 66. Built in 1939, it became a favorite stop for travelers and Hollywood stars making the westward drive. Its bold neon sign, visible for miles, still welcomes guests to this desert crossroads.
Created using the wet plate collodion process, the photograph highlights the surface details of the stucco walls, hand-painted lettering, and aging neon tubing. The silver tones of the plate emphasize the interplay of light, texture, and time — turning a still-working motel into a portrait of American endurance.
Part of the NomadType Route 66 series, El Trovatore Motel honors the preservation of roadside architecture and the communities that continue to keep the Mother Road alive.
