(UPDATE 4/10/2017: Because of a schedule conflict, the date of the relighting ceremony has been changed.)
The restoration of the neon sign for The Tropics in Lincoln, Illinois, is far enough along that organizers have set a relighting date for Sunday, June 24, in a McDonald’s parking lot where the Route 66 restaurant once stood.
After the salvaged sign spent some time in a city-owned field, it was transported in June 2016 to Ace Sign Co. in Springfield, Illinois, for restoration.
According to a news release:
Joe Bringuet, one of the company’s original owners who serviced the sign when it was located on-site at The Tropics restaurant, helped not only with painting the lettering on the sign, but also provided guidance to the younger workers at ACE who were not as familiar with signs that use real neon tube lighting.
Here’s an image of Bringuet working on the sign:
And here are images of The Tropics sign before the restoration began:
According to the release, about $64,000 of the $70,000 needed to finish The Tropics neon sign restoration has been raised. Those who give $1,000 or more — known as Tropics Legacy Campaign “Champion” donors — will be recognized on an interpretive panel installed at the restored sign. Those who give $500 — known as “TLC Partner” donors — will be recognized on pavers placed around the base of the sign. “TLC Benefactor” donors ($250 or more donated) will be recognized via a brick installed at the base of the sign.
Such donations must be received on or before May 18 to be recognized. The McDonald’s is at Woodlawn Road and Old Route 66 in Lincoln.
Donation information is available by calling the Logan County Tourism Bureau at (217) 732-8687.
Vince Schwenoha once traveled to California and drew inspiration from its palm trees when he started The Tropics restaurant and its iconic neon sign in 1950. Lew and Bev Johnson ran the eatery for the next few decades. The restaurant went through a spate of closings and reopenings after Interstate 55 bypassed the town and closed for good in 2003.
In 2016, the Tropics was inducted into the Illinois Route 66 Hall of Fame.
(Images courtesy of Bill Thomas)
I have always loved “The Tropics” neon sign and I’m thrilled to learn that it is being beautifully restored. What a wonderful idea to have the man who originally worked on the sign, contribute to this restoration effort. Great article, Thank You.