Texas Photography Marfa Texas West Texas Vintage Sign Desert Photography Texas Decor Large Wall Art Texas Prints Stardust Marfa Motel

Driving west on US-90 just outside Marfa, Texas, I finally had my second chance to photograph the Stardust Motel sign. Years ago, I passed this relic of a bygone era on a road trip with my family. It had caught my eye immediately, a beacon of mid-century Americana, but we were all tired from the long drive and couldn’t stop. The missed opportunity lingered in my mind for years, and on this trip back through the area, I was determined not to let it slip by again.

The Stardust Motel itself is long gone, its rooms and walls now just whispers carried on the desert breeze, and occasionally on the small screen, as it served as a filming location for a few movies. The sign stands alone, its towering design reminiscent of the San Jacinto Monument. That’s no coincidence—the Stardust was originally the San Jacinto Courts before being rebranded during the golden age of roadside motels. Its faded red letters spell out “Stardust,” though the neon that once brought them to life no longer lights.

As I pulled off to the side of the road, the sky over Marfa put on a show worthy of the sign. Wisps of cloud streaked across the blue expanse, tinged with golden hues from the late afternoon sun. The wide, open plains stretched endlessly behind the sign, dotted with scraggly bushes and low fences. The stillness of the desert was punctuated only by the occasional rustle of dry grass and the motor of a passing car.
The air smelled of sunbaked earth and desert plants. A soft breeze carried the warmth of the early June day. There was something poetic about the Stardust sign standing alone in this vast landscape, a lonely sentinel keeping watch over memories of travelers past.

Setting up my camera, I had to frame the shot just right to capture the full grandeur of the towering sign against the dramatic sky. I imagined what it must have been like when the Stardust Motel was alive with activity—neon glowing, travelers checking in after long stretches on the open road. Now, it stood as a piece of history, weathered but proud.

As I clicked the shutter, I felt a deep connection to the moment. It wasn’t just a photograph; it was a story, a preservation of something fleeting. The empty space where the motel once stood seemed to speak of resilience, the ability to stand tall even when everything else has faded.

Satisfied, I packed up and took one last look at the Stardust sign. The drive westward still had its own promises of adventure, but this moment felt like a victory—a small triumph over time and missed opportunities. The Stardust sign, silent and solitary, would live on through this photo, carrying its story forward to anyone willing to listen.

----------

Production and Shipping Time: 5-7 business days

Premium Photo Paper: 5 days for printing, 5 days for shipping.

Ready-to-Hang Canvas: 5 days for printing, 5 days for shipping.

There are 5 ways to print these images.

1) Premium Photo Paper are high quality, professional paper-prints.
Sharp, Vivid and rich Color sets this apart from a casual photo print.
You'll feel like you're there.
Premium Photo Paper will last a long time.
This option is available in 8x10 inches, 11x14 inches, 16x20 inches or 24x36.
They are designed to be placed in a glass frame, which can be purchased separately (starting at a few dollars at your local Target or online.)

2) Ready to Hang Canvas are ready to hang right out of the box with zero assembly required. Ultimate convenience.
Gorgeous finished look. It comes out of the shipping box finished and ready to hang with a simple nail in the wall.
Canvas Prints are a well-known, high-end way of displaying photographs.
0.75 or 1.5 inch thick (depending on which size that you order) wooden stretcher-bars that give it shape, in the same way an oil painting is traditionally assembled. There are no staples or ugly lines visible on the sides (very important.)
Estimated delivery time for printing, assembling, packing and shipping is around 10 days.

3) Ready to Hang Canvas (split into 3 panels)
This is for larger pieces, and the photograph is split into 3 even panels, 3 separate canvas panels which together make a single large image.
This gives a modern look, and allows spectacularly large sizes on your wall!

4) Aluminum Metal Prints
Create elegant wall decor that shines with high-end, exclusive and unique aluminum metal prints.
Create a polished addition to any home or office. 3/64" thick aluminum panel. Features a glossy coating and rounded edges.
UV resistant ink prevents fading. All metal sizes are ready to hang on your wall, right out of the box.

5) Acrylic Prints
Create eye-catching home decor with modern acrylic prints. Light refracts through the museum-quality acrylic bringing vibrancy and depth to your photos. The 1/8" thick, clear acrylic produces superb image quality from edge to edge and absolutely stunning, brilliant color!
UV resistant ink prevents fading. All acrylic sizes are ready to hang on your wall, right out of the box