"The Zeon Files" provides a colorful glimpse of Albuquerque's past with dozens of a company's working drawings of neon signs that once graced the Route 66 corridor decades ago. But what's most striking is the drawings are revealed as detailed and precise as any architectural rendering. The people who made these signs weren't just blue-collar guys who'd learned the trade of fire, electricity … Continue reading Book review: “The Zeon Files”
Tag: neon signs
Albuquerque will fix its Route 66 neon signs by June
Albuquerque will repair and convert to LED all of its Route 66-themed neon archways and signs by June, including a defective one on the city's west side has read "Route 6" instead of "Route 66" for almost a year. KOAT-TV in Albuquerque reports the repairs and conversion will cost the city about $151,000. Repairs on one of the … Continue reading Albuquerque will fix its Route 66 neon signs by June
Kingman looking for donations for neon-sign park
The Route 66 Association of Kingman in Kingman, Arizona, is seeking donations of old neon signs and money to help set up neon parks along Route 66 in town, according to an article in the Kingman Daily Miner. The parks will be linked with other developments along the Route 66 corridor such as the Route … Continue reading Kingman looking for donations for neon-sign park
New neon at Soul City in Tulsa
Give credit where credit's due -- Soul City along 11th Street (aka Route 66) in Tulsa decided to go old-school with a new neon sign, and it succeeded. Soul City -- which is a combination art studio, jewelry store, vintage furnishings supplier, restaurant and nightclub -- recently installed this terrific-looking neon sign that's a great … Continue reading New neon at Soul City in Tulsa
“Route 66 in Illinois”
The "Route 66 in Illinois" presentation by Joe Sonderman and Cheryl Eichar Jett -- who co-wrote a book by the same name -- during the Miles of Possibility conference in Edwardsville, Illinois, contained a few tidbits of information even veteran roadies might not have known, such as: An explosion in 1942 at the Joliet Army Ammunition Plant … Continue reading “Route 66 in Illinois”
Restored neon sign installed at Kingman dealership
A neon sign for OK Used Cars that dates to about 1960 recently was restored and re-installed at Dunton Motors Dream Machines along Route 66 in Kingman, Arizona. Route 66 author Jim Hinckley reports the sign was relighted Friday. A recent news release from the Route 66 Association of Kingman says an official relighting ceremony is … Continue reading Restored neon sign installed at Kingman dealership
Albuquerque installs new Route 66-inspired directional signs
It took longer than expected, but the city of Albuquerque last week began installing its new directional tourism signs inspired by a Route 66 shield and a roadrunner, New Mexico's state bird. According to KRQE-TV in Albuquerque, the sign installed in the Nob Hill section of town is one of six that will be installed … Continue reading Albuquerque installs new Route 66-inspired directional signs
Signs saved from the demolished Bel-Aire Motel
An article this week in the The State Journal-Register answers one question in the wake of the demolition of the Bel-Air Motel in Springfield, Illinois -- what will happen to the neon signs? The short answer: They've been acquired by two local residents, where they likely will be restored. Retired Springfield businessman Ron Metzger and … Continue reading Signs saved from the demolished Bel-Aire Motel
Artisan re-creating smaller versions of classic Route 66 neon signs
Joel Rayburn of GlassBoy Studios in the Oklahoma City area unveiled three smaller re-creations of classic Route 66 neon signs during the Rockabilly on the Route festival in Tucumcari, New Mexico, this weekend. The re-created signs are El Cajon Motel in San Bernardino, California, a Whiting Bros. Motel sign in San Fidel, New Mexico, and … Continue reading Artisan re-creating smaller versions of classic Route 66 neon signs
Bel-Aire sputnik will be restored for sign company’s museum
For those who worried about the fate of the sputnik structure atop the doomed Bel-Air Motel in Springfield, Illinois, do not worry. Ace Sign Co. of Springfield removed the sputnik over the weekend and eventually will restore it for its neon museum that coincidentally opens today, according to the State Journal-Register. The fiberglass ball of … Continue reading Bel-Aire sputnik will be restored for sign company’s museum