The City of Albuquerque, spurred by Mayor Marty Chavez, is considering a sign ordinance that's so financially onerous and controversial that I'm surprised it was proposed at all. In short, the ordinance would outlaw nearly all existing standalone signs and signs that are attached to buildings. This, of course, would include virtually all neon signs … Continue reading Don’t outlaw your neon signs, Albuquerque
Category: Signs
No sale
The eBay sale of the Thunderbird Motel neon sign, which came from a Route 66 motel in Miami, Okla., ended with a high bid of $3,850. But since it didn't meet the reserve (which remains unknown), that means no sale.
TV station checks into Lewis Motel
KOTV of Tulsa went to Vinita, Okla., to report about the sale of the Lewis Motel neon sign and the likely destruction of the Route 66 motel to make way for an O'Reilly Auto Parts store. The motel's current owner said The new owner of the sign says he plans to put it on display … Continue reading TV station checks into Lewis Motel
Newspaper tells about Lewis Motel’s plight
The Joplin Globe reported today about the near-certain destruction of the Lewis Motel in Vinita, Okla., to make way for an O'Reilly Auto Parts store, and an auction of the motel's neon sign on eBay. O'Reilly Auto Parts, which is ironically based in the Route 66 town of Springfield, Mo., has not so far responded … Continue reading Newspaper tells about Lewis Motel’s plight
Thunderbird Motel sign up for sale again
Back in June, the Thunderbird Motel neon sign that once graced the Route 66 motor court in Miami, Okla., was sold in an estate auction for a reported $24,000. Now it's for sale again -- this time on eBay. The bidding is up to $3,750, but there's more than six days left in the auction, … Continue reading Thunderbird Motel sign up for sale again
It’s gone through the shredder
The desk clerk at the Western Capri Motel in Tulsa was a bit unsure last week about the fate of its old, 1950s-era sign. Today, I called the motel's manager. I asked him which company removed the sign. After shuffling of papers and time on hold, he gave me a phone number and a name, … Continue reading It’s gone through the shredder
Another one gone
The neon sign of the Western Capri Motel in southwest Tulsa was replaced last week with a less interesting sign, I discovered Wednesday. The motel is on the Skelly Drive alignment of Route 66, near Interstate 44 / Oklahoma 66. I talked to Dara, who was working the front desk of the motel. I asked … Continue reading Another one gone
Lewis Motel sign up for sale
The neon sign from the closed Lewis Motel on Route 66 in Vinita, Okla., is for sale on eBay. You can see the listing here. Bidding starts at $50, and the auction ends in about a week. There's sad news about the motel, though. The seller says: The motel has recently closed and will be … Continue reading Lewis Motel sign up for sale
Meadow Gold sign will find a new home
The Tulsa World reported this morning that the historic Meadow Gold sign, which has was dismantled in 2004 and placed into storage for safekeeping, will eventually find a new home in Tulsa just east of Peoria Avenue and 11th Street, aka Route 66. Mark Farrell is donating a portion of the southwest corner Quaker Avenue … Continue reading Meadow Gold sign will find a new home
Award-winning neon video is online
KNME-TV in Albuquerque a couple years ago produced "Route 66: The Neon Road," a 25-minute video about New Mexico's neon-sign restoration program for Route 66 businesses. The video won an Emmy. That video recently was posted at Google Video; you can watch the whole thing here below. It's an enjoyable video. The rockabilly-flavored soundtrack by … Continue reading Award-winning neon video is online