Retro Highway is the work of RJ Laury, a St. Louis–based photographer who has spent decades documenting neon signs, diners, motels, and roadside relics across America. These glowing landmarks and fading storefronts tell stories about a country built on movement, music, and the open road.
I have always been drawn to the look and feel of classic Americana. Neon buzzing at dusk, chrome reflecting headlights, and weathered marquees all speak to a time when travel meant more than just reaching a destination.
My Inspiration
I grew up appreciating hot rods, muscle cars, pinup culture, and the nostalgia of a country in motion. Road trips became a way to capture these fading icons before they disappeared. Over the years, my camera has become both a companion and a time machine, freezing moments of history in modern light.
I am also inspired by the everyday places people often overlook. A corner store, a forgotten diner, or a small-town theater may seem ordinary. Yet when photographed, each one reveals something about the communities that built them and the travelers who once passed through.
What You’ll Find Here
Retro Highway celebrates what remains of roadside Americana. Here, you’ll discover:
•Shuttered Americana: weekly features on abandoned banks, motels, cafés, and other places that time has nearly erased.
•Roadside Reads and Reels: reviews of books and documentaries that explore the culture, history, and aesthetics of America’s open roads.
Both columns reflect my goal to keep history alive by blending research with photography and personal storytelling.
The Road Ahead
Old Route 66, Houck, AZ. Photographed October 21, 2020 © RJL Creative LLC. Use without permission is strictly prohibited.
Retro Highway continues to grow as I share more from my archive and ongoing travels. New posts arrive each week, offering both images and stories that connect past and present.
This site is also a foundation for future projects, including limited-edition prints, photography books, and potential collaborations with preservation efforts.
Most of all, Retro Highway is an invitation. It invites you to look closer at the signs, storefronts, and structures we pass every day. These places may fade, but through photography and storytelling, their glow can still reach us.
Thanks for riding along.
Safe travels,
RJ
