I missed this when it happened last summer, but Ace Sign Co. of Springfield, Illinois, restored the Sputnik sign that stood atop the Bel-Aire Motel and displays it in its museum. The Bel-Aire, a longtime Route 66 motel, was torn down last year after hundreds of code violations. According to a story on the Illinois Route 66 … Continue reading The home of the Bel-Aire Motel Sputnik
Category: Signs
Holbrook Dairy Queen sign allowed to stay
Less than two weeks ago, it was learned Dairy Queen wanted a franchise along Route 66 in Holbrook, Arizona, to replace its 50-year-old neon sign. Hundreds of preservationists launched a Change.org petition and called and emailed DQ headquarters in response, asking it to allow the sign to stay at its longtime home at 1004 Navajo Blvd. … Continue reading Holbrook Dairy Queen sign allowed to stay
Old Dairy Queen sign in Holbrook endangered
A 50-year-old neon sign at a Dairy Queen restaurant along Route 66 in Holbrook, Arizona, is in danger from the chain's corporate headquarters that wants to replace it with a more modern sign. David Heward, a Route 66 booster in Holbrook, wrote on the Save the Holbrook Dairy Queen Sign page on Facebook: Howdy folks! I have just … Continue reading Old Dairy Queen sign in Holbrook endangered
Group formed to restore The Tropics sign
A group of local leaders has been formed to restore The Tropics sign that once stood along Route 66 in Lincoln, Illinois. The committee includes those from Logan County Economic Development Partnership, Route 66 Heritage Foundation of Logan County, Logan County Alliance, Mount Pulaski Courthouse Foundation, the city of Lincoln and family members of the restaurant's former owners, reported the Lincoln … Continue reading Group formed to restore The Tropics sign
Neon lights at Tower Theatre turned on again
The neon lights of the Tower Theatre in Oklahoma City glowed with life for the first time in nearly five years Friday as a preview for its spring reopening as a performance venue and bars. The Associated Press reported: Scott Marsh, chief operations officer at Levelland Productions, is planning a “soft opening” by early April for … Continue reading Neon lights at Tower Theatre turned on again
Jim Hinckley presentation will help neon-sign initiative
Author Jim Hinckley of Kingman, Arizona, has done his share of tours and presentations about the history of Route 66. However, at 5 p.m. Jan. 16, the proceeds from his "Armchair Tour Along Route 66 -- The Main Street of America" at Beale Celebrations in Kingman and a walking tour in downtown will benefit the … Continue reading Jim Hinckley presentation will help neon-sign initiative
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
Desert Motors in Victorville changes owners
The Desert Motors car dealership in Victorville, California, best known for its vintage neon sign along Route 66, recently changed owners for the first time in more than 60 years, according to the Victorville Daily Press. Not to worry, though. The newspaper said the new owner, Sam Shihab, will continue to keep up the sign after … Continue reading Desert Motors in Victorville changes owners
The glow of El Vado
Maybe by the year 2017, we'll get to see this again. Dan Uscian recently uploaded footage from June 1994 when the neon tubing of the historic El Vado Motel along Route 66 in Albuquerque still glowed brightly, including its memorably designed sign. https://youtu.be/gKxg7BUSLX0 No one has seen this sight in more than a decade. A developer … Continue reading The glow of El Vado
Amarillo’s Route 66 district honors police officers
The Sixth Street Merchants Association in Amarillo, Texas, last week has added blue ribbons along its Route 66 signs to show support to the city's police department, according to several media reports. According to KFDA-TV: Along with the sign decor, the association also presented Chief of Police Robert Taylor with a plaque of appreciation. "We've … Continue reading Amarillo’s Route 66 district honors police officers