The last time most people saw the old Tucumcari Motel sign near downtown Tucumcari, New Mexico, the long-closed business was destroyed by a suspected arson fire about three years ago. Because it stood about 20 feet from the building, the fire left the neon sign for the motel unscathed. Locals hauled away the sign a few … Continue reading Tucumcari Motel sign emerges from the ashes
Category: Signs
Here’s your sign on Route 66 in Arizona
Frank Kocevar, the former owner of Historic Seligman Sundries in Seligman, Arizona, posted this clever video featuring a few signs along Route 66 in Arizona and a unique vantage point, courtesy of a drone. The segment featuring a dreamcatcher at Meteor City Trading Post is particularly impressive. https://vimeo.com/230532937 I asked Kocevar what equipment he used … Continue reading Here’s your sign on Route 66 in Arizona
Route 66 Corridor Preservation Program announces 2017 cost-share grants
The Route 66 Corridor Preservation Program on Thursday announced its annual cost-share grant awards, with seven grants totaling $98,137. This year's grant awards are remarkable in their breadth, including neon-sign restorations, oral-history projects, a full assessment of Route 66's bridges, a historic-property database, an educational websites and a documentary film. Since 2001, the program has … Continue reading Route 66 Corridor Preservation Program announces 2017 cost-share grants
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
Large sign stolen from Fabulous 40 Motel in Adrian
A large "Motel" sign that graced the Fabulous 40 Motel in Adrian, Texas, apparently was stolen after a windstorm blew down its support structure weeks ago. The owners of the Route 66 motel, which is next to the landmark Midpoint Cafe in Adrian, had let the sign lie on the ground behind the motel until … Continue reading Large sign stolen from Fabulous 40 Motel in Adrian
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
Restoration begins on The Tropics sign
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
Sign stolen from Owl Court motel in Oklahoma City
An old sign at the historic but long-closed Owl Court motel in Oklahoma City was stolen between Sunday afternoon and Monday morning. Owner John Dunning, who bought the property at 742 W. Britton Road about 12 years ago with plans to eventually restore it, said the sign probably is worth $800 to $1,000, he told … Continue reading Sign stolen from Owl Court motel in Oklahoma City
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