West Winds Motel Mount Vernon, WA

West WInds Motel Mount Vernon WA

You sometimes forget that there was a time before highways…

I drove Route 66 from Chicago to L.A. (just like the song) and it was bittersweet to see all these cool stores, gas stations, and restaurants that where left behind. Once the new freeway was built, traffic wasn’t going to pass by again.

On The Mother Road: Route 66
On The Mother Road: Route 66

It was around the ’60s when freeways started to crisscross America. When it comes to searching for cool Mid-Century establishments, you have to go where cars used to travel. Tiki was at its height in popularity in the ’50s and ’60s so it didn’t surprise me to learn that a cool Tiki motel was located on the main road that used to go right through the center of Mount Vernon, Washington.

This is the West Winds Motel…

West WInds Motel Mount Vernon WA

There are two Tikis out front which seem to be Witco.

West WInds Motel Mount Vernon WA

West WInds Motel Mount Vernon WA

And just a couple Tikis in the garden…

West WInds Motel Mount Vernon WA

West WInds Motel Mount Vernon WA

West WInds Motel Mount Vernon WA

The only other clue of the place being Tiki would be the Tiki torch posts below the main sign.

West WInds Motel Mount Vernon WA

The motel seems to be well maintained and I would stay here if I was passing through Mount Vernon and needed a place to crash.

West WInds Motel Mount Vernon WA

It’s great to discover a piece of Tiki history and I have to give credit to this man here…

Travis Bay - The Man who discoverd the Tikis at West Winds Motel
Travis Bay – The Man who discoverd the Tikis at West Winds Motel

This is Travis and he knew about this hidden Tiki gem. He was nice enough to take me up to Mount Vernon to check it out.

He also carved this incredible Tiki that now resides in my Tiki bedroom.

Tiki carved by Travis Bay
Tiki carved by Travis Bay

If you want to check out the West Winds Motel or even spend the night, the address is:

West Winds Motel

2020 Riverside Dr.

Mount Vernon WA 98273

Travis Bay - The Man who discoverd the Tikis at West Winds Motel
Travis Bay – The Man who discoverd the Tikis at West Winds Motel

 

2 thoughts on “West Winds Motel Mount Vernon, WA

  1. Marlow C. Harris

    That would make sense that there would be a Tiki Motel in Mt. Vernon, as that’s where tiki carver William Westenhaver (Witco) lived for years and he had his studio in Mt. Vernon. He probably spread his tiki love all around that little town!

    • Ray Post author

      Oh wow! I didn’t know that. Thanks for sharing that information.

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