The Tropics sign returns to Lincoln

Workers from Ace Sign Co. on Friday returned The Tropics sign, now restored, to its original home in Lincoln, Illinois. An official relighting ceremony will occur the evening of June 24. A staffer for The Herald-News took photos of workers reinstalling the sign. A slide show of images are in this YouTube video. https://youtu.be/4iC7-6udNa4 The … Continue reading The Tropics sign returns to Lincoln

Taco King in Upland is up for sale

The Taco King restaurant along Route 66 in Upland, California -- famed for its old-school neon sign -- recently was put up for sale with an asking price of almost $1.5 million. According to The Daily Bulletin, longtime owners Luis and Maria Horta want to sell the place by the end of 2018, then retire. They've … Continue reading Taco King in Upland is up for sale

Wilder’s neon sign reinstalled; relighting event set for Saturday

The historic rooftop neon sign at Wilder's Steakhouse in downtown Joplin, Missouri, was reinstalled Thursday after being taken down for several weeks for restoration. The official relighting ceremony for the sign will be at dusk Saturday, April 14. Sunset that day is 7:52 p.m., but it may become dark faster if skies are overcast. Here's a … Continue reading Wilder’s neon sign reinstalled; relighting event set for Saturday

Relighting of The Tropics neon sign set for June 24

(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. … Continue reading Relighting of The Tropics neon sign set for June 24

VIDEOS: De Anza Motor Lodge sign taken down for restoration

Workers on Wednesday took down the neon sign for the De Anza Motor Lodge in Albuquerque to be restored -- one of many steps to rehabilitate the long-closed historic Route 66 property into a boutique motel. Melissa Lea Beasley, president of the New Mexico Route 66 Association, wrote in that group's Facebook page: Today the … Continue reading VIDEOS: De Anza Motor Lodge sign taken down for restoration

An update on the Route 66 Neon Park in Missouri

An area television station provided an update on a proposed Route 66 Neon Park in St. Robert, Missouri -- including that organizers hope to open at least part of it next spring. Here's the report from KY3 in Springfield, Missouri: Beth Wiles, president of the Pulaski County Route 66 Preservation group, hopes to have three … Continue reading An update on the Route 66 Neon Park in Missouri

Tulsa takes first step to Route 66 neon sign district

After years of talk about the idea, the Tulsa city council this week finally began a process to set up new zoning rules along Route 66 that will allow bigger neon signs than what codes now allow. Tulsa Public Radio reported: The council has initiated a zoning code overlay to relax sign regulations along the … Continue reading Tulsa takes first step to Route 66 neon sign district

Tulsa may encourage neon signs along Route 66

The city of Tulsa is working to set up a Route 66 neon-sign overlay district that would encourage the use and preservation of such signs. The Frontier news site, based in Tulsa, had the details: The city’s idea, patterned after a similar one in Albuquerque, N.M., is simple: make it easier to put up a neon sign … Continue reading Tulsa may encourage neon signs along Route 66

The man behind many Route 66 neon sign restorations

KSDK-TV in St. Louis recently produced a story about neon signs along Route 66 in Missouri -- especially signs restored by the Route 66 Association of Missouri's Neon Heritage Preservation Committee. The fellow behind many of these restorations is David Hutson of Neon Time in St. Charles, Missouri. Hutson said: “When people tour Route 66, … Continue reading The man behind many Route 66 neon sign restorations

Restored Dell Rhea’s Chicken Basket neon sign is dedicated

  The newly restored neon sign for Dell Rhea's Chicken Basket restaurant along old Route 66 in Willowbrook, Illinois, was dedicated Monday afternoon with a relighting ceremony. About 200 people attended the event, which included a car show, live music and commemorative T-shirts. Below is an image of the restored sign at night: The ceremony … Continue reading Restored Dell Rhea’s Chicken Basket neon sign is dedicated