Built in 1959 the River Park Motel & Suites has a fascinating history. Originally named the Tip-Top Motel it was part of a string of motels along Lincoln Avenue. This area was informally known as Motel Row. These motels catered to families and road-trippers in the 1950s. However things changed.
The rise of interstate highways in the 1960s impacted business. By the 1980s Motel Row had a reputation for crime. Some motels embraced this reputation others tried to fight it. The city of Chicago intervened. In 1998 the city acquired several motels using eminent domain. These motels were demolished to make way for a police station parkland and a library.
The River Park Motel & Suites along with others fought back. They successfully increased the buyout price delaying further acquisitions. Nine motels including the River Park Motel & Suites remain today. They stand as a testament to resilience. Their neon signs once vibrant are mostly gone. Only a few remain as reminders of a bygone era.
The River Park Motel & Suites still features its original entrance arrow sign. It’s a small but significant piece of neon history. It’s a unique surviving detail of Motel Row’s past. Today the River Park Motel & Suites continues to welcome guests. It stands as a quiet reminder of a more flamboyant past. It’s a part of Chicago’s history. A history of roadside motels and neon signs. A history of changing times and enduring structures. The River Park Motel & Suites is more than just a place to stay. It’s a piece of Chicago’s story. A story waiting to be discovered.