The fabled neon sign for the now-closed The Tropics restaurant in Lincoln, Illinois, this week was moved to a shop for restoration work for the next six months. The Lincoln Courier reported the sign was moved Tuesday to Ace Sign Co. in nearby Springfield, where the company will undergo restoration work on it through late … Continue reading Restoration begins on The Tropics sign
Tag: neon signs
Professors honored for preserving vintage neon-sign drawings
Two professors from the University of New Mexico were given a state preservation award for saving hundreds of old drawings from the state's oldest neon-sign company. Many of them mock-ups of signs eventually were installed on Route 66. The New Mexico Historic Preservation Division honored Ellen Babcock and Mark Childs in the Heritage Publication division … Continue reading Professors honored for preserving vintage neon-sign drawings
The Tropics neon sign may return to Lincoln by spring 2018
The historic neon sign for the now-gone The Tropics restaurant in Lincoln, Illinois, may return to a parking lot at a McDonald's along Route 66 by spring 2018. That scenario became more likely after the city approved an easement with Franchise Realty Investment Trust on behalf of the McDonald’s to install the sign at the lot … Continue reading The Tropics neon sign may return to Lincoln by spring 2018
Neon sign returns to Kingman’s Route 66 for first time in nearly 70 years
This week, a neon sign on Route 66 in Kingman, Arizona, that was taken down during the late 1940s was returned to the Mother Road in the same city where it was erected. Route 66 author Jim Hinckley explained in an email: The sign stood on Chadwick Drive. This road carried National Old Trails Highway … Continue reading Neon sign returns to Kingman’s Route 66 for first time in nearly 70 years
Dell Rhea’s Chicken Basket neon sign comes down — temporarily
The famous and historic neon sign for Dell Rhea's Chicken Basket in Willowbrook, Illinois, recently was taken down. But don't panic -- it will be gone only a few weeks so it can be fixed and renovated so it looks new again. WBBM-TV reports that owner Patrick Rhea said he didn't look forward to his … Continue reading Dell Rhea’s Chicken Basket neon sign comes down — temporarily
Book review: “Route 66 Roadside Signs and Advertisements”
"Route 66 Roadside Signs and Advertisements" leaves little doubt it exists primarily as an image-driven book. After all, you have to show all these neon signs, banners and billboards that made an indelible impression on generations of Route 66 travelers and contributed to the road's colorful history. The book contains hundreds of photographs by Route 66 … Continue reading Book review: “Route 66 Roadside Signs and Advertisements”
Anyone know about this neon sign?
Do you recognize this "Hotel" neon sign that once stood on Route 66 in Illinois? If so, a collector of vintage and replica neon signs and a longtime Route 66 News reader in Texas wants to know about it. Michael Brown is trying to get more documentation about its origins. So far, all he knows … Continue reading Anyone know about this neon sign?
Neon returning to Grand Canyon Caverns
Grand Canyon Caverns near Peach Springs, Arizona, has commissioned an Oklahoma neon shop to fashion new neon signs for the longtime Route 66 attraction. Joel Rayburn of GlassBoy Studios in the Route 66 town of Arcadia, Oklahoma, is making the neon signs. From a news release: Classic Route 66 destinations do things right. Neon will … Continue reading Neon returning to Grand Canyon Caverns
Unpopular marquee returning to Rialto Square Theatre
An additional marquee for the Rialto Square Theatre in Joliet, Illinois, that was nixed because of its unpopularity is returning -- this time, to the back of the historic building. The theater's principals still are raising funds for the classic marquee. But they think the red-headed stepchild of the other marquee still can prove useful. The Herald-News reported: … Continue reading Unpopular marquee returning to Rialto Square Theatre
Meadow Gold sign in Tulsa soon will get clocks
The city of Tulsa long had promised the clocks that once sat on top of the historic Meadow Gold neon sign would be replaced "when funding becomes available." Apparently the money is in the bank. The Tulsa World reports bids to replace the clocks will come due this week. The clocks stood at the very … Continue reading Meadow Gold sign in Tulsa soon will get clocks