Call it a sign of the times. In early 2005, a billboard which, for over 40 years had beckoned eastbound travelers on the Pennsylvania Turnpike to visit the "Town of Motels," was torn down, replaced with a modern board which now sports the vinyl query, "Got Gas?."

The Sign had originally been erected and maintained by the Breezewood Tourist Association, which, according to Dennis Tice, Director of the Bedford County Visitors Bureau, was once a very active group of mostly local merchants and property owners.

"Over time," he said, "More and more of the businesses have been bought by people who don't live in the area, and the Tourist Association became less active." The famous gateway sign, along with two others, were taken over in September of 2004 by the BCVB, who decided it was time to make a change.    

Tice says longtime Tourist Association head Don Felton, who owns the Quality Inn in Breezewwod, (#3 in the chain, by the way) was, in a way, responsible for the "Town of Motels" sign's very long roadside run.

"He liked the sign and saw no reason to change it." Tice said. "In fact, Breezewood was using the same brochure for over twenty years as well. Felton's kids were in the photos, and they're all grown up now."

Recently there was an attempt to graft on a new, potentially more "up-to-date" slogan to the sign, when "The Traveler's Oasis" was added to the botton; but it was a last gasp for the great old sign, which is now all gone. For roadside fans and collectors who might be wondering, none of the old sign was kept intact.

It remains, as so much of the American roadside does, in our memories and our photo albums. Oh, and in popular culture as well. Tice reminded us that Rolling Rock Beer, in an ad campaign, had referenced Breezewood, a few years back. It went (something) like this...

Guy in Chair:

"I met her in 1951 in Breezewood ... the Town of Motels ... Exit #12 on the PA Turnpike. I don't remember a lot about her ... but I'll never forget my first Rolling Rock Beer."