Here it is:  the final installment of a gruesome and grueling project.  So much loss in the past couple of years.  I know it’s devastating but  I’m hoping it will be a motivator for everybody to get out on the road while we still have things to see and shoot.  Don’t forget to give a wave & a thumbs-up as you are out there shooting the sign/building/statue or go inside and to tell the business owner how much you love – REALLY REALLY LOVE — their sign/bldg/statue.  Count the ways of how it stands out among all the dreck, how beautiful it is, and how it is huge attention-getter for  potential customers, how important it is to the community as history and art, while a personal marker for locals and an attraction for tourists.  I know, I’m preaching to the choir.  But if you could just gush a lot to whoever is manning the register inside and/or the manager, I KNOW that it really does make a difference.

Enough of my lecture.  Let’s move on to some more bad news, shall we?

Starting in Ohio.  In Lorain, OH, this sign is gone:

This one in Cincinnati, OH — gone:

As for Oregon, this one in Baker City, OR — gone

In Pennsylvania — this revolving M&Z Carpet sign in Harrisburg, PA…

has been updated with backlit plastic letters.  The neon borders also gone:

From the Rexall Signs section: these signs in Idaho Falls, ID are gone:

only the little plastic Rexall panel on the far left remains:

These signs in Chicago, IL are also gone:

 

In Reese, MI — also gone:

In South Carolina, this beauty in Orangeburg is gone:

 

As for South Dakota, this one in Aberdeen is gone:

 

In Tennessee, this one in Nashville is gone:

A bunch of signs in Texas have disappeared — the heaviest hit city was El Paso.
The Gran Mercado sign:


and these:

 

This one…

… has been painted over in this mess:

 

In Houston, TX, this one is gone:

In Austin, TX, this one on Lamar is gone (the identical sign on Guadelupe is still there):

 

This one in San Marcos, TX.…

… has been replaced with this:

 

As for Utah, this one in Blanding has been replaced with a boring plastic box:

 

In Washington, this one in Anacortes is gone:

 

This one in Grandview, WA is gone:

The neon and hand painted mountains on this sign in Sedro-Woolley, WA….

… has been replaced with backlit plastic letters and peaks:

 

The Elephant Car Wash in Tacoma, WA closed and was replaced with another car wash.  This sign …

…was altered/repainted like this:

The surviving Elephant Car Wash signs are at my website here:
http://www.roadarch.com/signs/waseattle2.html#Elephant

 
In Ephrata, WA, this sign’s neon text has been removed and the panels covered up with other panels for another business.  Luckily, they left the dragon alone:

 

In Fife, WA, this sign disappeared due to major roadwork next to it.   When I spoke with the desk clerk, he wasn’t sure if the sign would be reinstalled or if something new would replace it:

 

In West Virginia, this one in Charleston is gone now:

And lastly, from Wisconsin, this one in Lander is, you got it, gone:

 

So, that’s that.  My website is as current as can be with all 72,000 or so external links checked, countless Google Streetview maps checked.  Not a fun task but necessary and never finished.  I predict next winter’s posts will be just as heartbreaking.  But, on the bright side, there are miraculously thousands of other signs still in place, as well as thousands of statues and buildings sure to amaze and make you smile.  Have a look at your favorite sections or use that search box below the yellow bar on the top left at any page to look for cities, biz names, etc.  Favorite “roadarch.com” so you can plan your future adventures.

That’s just what I’m about to do!  I keep huge lists for every state of things that I want to shoot and reshoot.  I’ll be doing a few roadtrips here in California in the next few months to test out my van, camera, laptop, and aging body before embarking on the big 5-week trip to the Southeast in June.  The next posts will be much more cheerful as I document things that still exist and things that you’ll want to add to your own to-shoot lists.

Happy trails and happy 2020!
dj & the dogs

 

I’ve got a whole bunch of news for you since I am happy (relieved!) to report that I’m done with this winter project and I can get on with happier things.  To avoid the world’s longest post, I’m going to split this into two (still fairly huge) posts.  The last section of this mega-website-task was Signs.  I present the most noteworthy news for the states beginning with “K”.  Get a stiff drink — it’s going to be painful.

Let’s start in Louisville, KY where the KDC sign…

… which has been covered up with crappy panels that kinda/sorta (barely) mimic the design underneath:

Moving on to Michigan.  This sign in Grand Rapids, MI is gone now:

 

Also gone — in Richmond, MI:

 

This sign in Saginaw, MI…

was reworked by 2011 but the really nice AMF panel remained:

The sign is now nothing but the two pole stumps.

Some good news from Christmas, MI.  This sign….

… has recently been repainted (or maybe replicated):

 

A bunch of signs in Minnesota are gone now including this one in Austin, MN:

These two (the “turn here” and the one in front of the motel itself) in Deer River, MN — gone:

 

This beauty in Elk River, MN – gone:

This one in Grand Rapids, MN…

was replaced with this thing:

 

This one in Maplewood, MN:
[check out how gorgeous it was at night here:
https://www.flickr.com/photos/8394561@N02/5331029635/

has been stripped:

 

This one in Ely, MN — was “picked” by American Pickers.  Their gleeful video at FB made me sick to my stomach and furious.  It’s one thing bargaining with old collectors for their motorcycle parts that have been gathering dust in barns for decades but quite another thing grabbing history and art from communities that have practically nothing to offer tourists and locals.  I bet you they couldn’t ditch the corrugated plastic panel fast enough.

 

The one in Sebeka, MN…

… has been destroyed with backlit plastic letters:

 

Moving on to Missouri.  This one in Cape Girardeau, MO is gone:

 

This one at a plumbing business in Chillicothe, MO — gone:

 

This one in St. Joseph, MO — yep, gone.  Note the wonderful two-phase arrow at the bottom:

 

In St. Louis, MO — gone:

This one in Raytown, MO — gone:

 

This Vickers gas station sign in Independence, MO — gone:

 

Also in Independence, MO, this beautiful sign…

…has been brutally altered.  The neon removed and bottom panels painted over:

 

Moving on to New Mexico.  This one in Carlsbad, NM is gone:

This one in Espanola, NM… gone:

 

This one in Farmington, NM — uh huh, gone:

 

This sign in Hobbs, NM…

is missing a major chunk now:

This one in Ruidoso, NM — gone:

In Raton, NM, this sign is gone (a Travelodge there now):

 

In Albuquerque, NM, the Master Cleaners is gone and so is this guy:

 

Moving on to Nevada.  This sign in Jean, NV...

… has been adapted.  Google doesn’t have a good shot but the letter bulbs are gone – replaced with either neon or LED.  I think the borders are just painted.

 

Reno, NV took a heavy hit this past year and last.  There are dirty sandy lots all over town — soon to be horrible modern towers.  I think some or all of these signs are stashed in developers hands for now.  There has been some talk in news articles of displaying them in town somewhere but it’s pretty vague and might be just to keep people quiet long enough that they’ll forget about their loss.

 

As for Las Vegas, NV, a bit of good news:  The Golden Goose Casino under the Fremont canopy is gone but the statue was saved, restored and is now spinning at Fremont & 10th.  I promise this video will cheer you up:
https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=HporsCpadmw

The baseball player statue from the Vegas Club & Casino was removed at the same time as the goose.  I believe he’s still in storage for now:

 

Only one sign to report from New York.  This sign from Watkins Glen, NY was auctioned off when the restaurant closed.  It’s now in a private collection:

 

Lastly, from the “N”s and my “Norge Ball” section.  This one in Louisville, KY is gone now:

 

The Norge Ball in San Mateo, CA…

… has been replaced with this round but flat thing:

 

So, that’s quite enough.  I’ll be back later tonight with the final post of this series.  I know you can hardly wait.

dj & the dogs

 

 

One notable recent loss in Edgewater, FL — the company was bought out and this sign was removed:

 

On a positive note (for a change), this sign in Dublin, GA…

… was missing the doggie for a few years, and then the sign was entirely restored or repainted recently.  This is the best angle I could get at Google & couldn’t find anything better online:

This sign and the restaurant in Weiser, ID are gone now:

 

I’ve been following all the hard work and restorations of the Relight the Neon organization in Pocatello, ID but somehow I missed this one.  This Independent Order of Odd Fellows sign:

was restored a couple of years ago:

Here comes a bunch of losses in Illinois.  This sign in Anna, IL is gone:

This sign in South Beloit, IL –— gone:

This one in Villa Park, IL…. gone:

This one in Chicago, IL is gone:

Some mixed news from St. Charles, IL:  This sign is still there but the top lettering has been changed — no neon, just paint — for Hawk Ford:

Unfortunately, this sign which was around back, is gone now:

A couple of losses in Indiana.   This sign in Franklin, IN is gone now:

 

and this beauty in Michigan City, IN is also gone:

 

 

Moving on to Kansas.  The Crown Rug signs in Kansas City, KS are gone:

 

 

This sign in Salina, KS…

… has been repainted.  I think the neon is still there but it’s hard to tell.  Too bad that the AAA logo is gone but I’m happy that the readerboard survives:

 

I’m pretty sure I wrote about this poor sign in Henderson, KY last year at this time.  This beauty:

had been transformed into this hideous thing:

Well, it’s been changed up again:

These two signs in Owensboro, KY are gone now:

 

Let’s end this post on a positive note.  This sign in Lake Charles, LA had abandoned for years.  It was standing on a vacant lot when I shot it last in 2018 and really seemed doomed:

But!  The sign was rescued and the “Burger” (which was already a patch panel anyway) was swapped for “Music” and the neon was restored for a new business downtown:

From their website:
https://www.facebook.com/PanoramaMusicHouse/photos/a.2019047378161126/2205893536143175/?type=3&theater

That’s a wrap for a while.  I’m moving on to Massachusetts now (virtually, of course).  I’ll be back in a week or so with more.

Happy trails,

dj & the dogs

I’m proceeding through the webpages, as I do just about everything in life, in alphabetical order.  So, here are the “discoveries” (losses and triumphs) from Arizona to California.

Let’s start with the Valencia Market in Tucson, AZ.  Around last year, the sign was replaced with a neon-less replica.  Luckily, the original sign was saved and is located at the Ignite Sign Art Museum in Tucson.  Here’s the original…

… and what’s there now (not quite the same Art Deco side trim, and, boy, that font is horrid, isn’t it?):

 

Not by state alpha order but these two are from the “Bears” page:  the Happy Bear signs at my website here:
http://www.roadarch.com/signs/bear.html

This sign in Ida, MI is gone now:

as is this one in Yakima, WA:

What follows is about a dozen news items from California.   Finally, some good news!  This sign in Bay Point, CA has been repainted.  Here’s what it looked like for years:

and since about a year ago:

 
This old 7-Eleven sign in Davis, CA has been replaced with a modern sign:

The twin Mayan Hotel signs in El Centro, CA….

… have been painted black and now have plastic letters:

 

Also, in El Centro, CA, not only are these signs gone but the building was also demolished:

 

The Cinderella Motel sign in Hollister, CA…

… has been repainted (and the bulb arrow is missing):

 

The Kieffe & Sons Ford dealership in Rosamond, CA is gone and so is this sign:

 

Frank’s Fish Market in Salinas, CA is gone and so is this sign:

This sign in Victorville, CA…

… no longer has neon and has been covered up with crappy signs for a couple of years now:

The Spur sign in Yuba City, CA is gone now:

 

The Meltdown Comics store in Los Angeles, CA closed in 2018 and this modern sign (stuck onto a vintage panel) is gone now:

 

This sign in Los Angeles, CA …

… was removed in 2018 and reinstalled recently.  Here’s what it looks like now:

The Hotel Marshall signs in Sacramento, CA have been removed during major building rehab.  Fingers crossed that some of the signs return when they are done:

 

Several signs in San Jose, CA have been removed in the past year or so.  Here are just a few:

 

I assume  that the former Dick’s Supermarket sign panels:

are gone for good now:

But one bit of good news in San Jose though (in addition to the restoration of the Dancing Pig sign), is that the Time Deli sign….

is still there (with a new tenant below):

 
That’s enough for one post!  I’ll be back in a few mins. with Florida thru Louisiana.

Take care,

dj & the dogs

 

 

 

 

I’m down to the final section (signs) of my winter updating project.  I’m about halfway through that so it’s time for a few blog posts.  I think I can wrap things up in a week or so.  Then, I’ll take a few local-ish roadtrips and start planning the big summer trip.

MID-CENTURY MODERN BUILDINGS

Here are some of the biggest losses from the past year or two. Got the Kleenex or alcohol handy?  If my blog posts are new to you, the photos are mine while the “afters” are captures from Google Street View.

The former Hyatt Lodge in Port Huron, MI was branded as a Super 7 Motel when I took these photos in 2011.  It later was painted blue and known as the Main Street Lodge & Suites.  By early last year, the building had been demolished.

This round mid-century modern bank in Boulder, CO last housed a Wells Fargo.  It was surrounded by chain link fencing in 2018… and now it’s gone:

 

This former Big Top store in Denver, CO was demolished in 2018.  Luckily, there are still a few surviving buildings:
http://www.roadarch.com/modarch/food3.html

 

This sweet Crest Inn in Reno, NV was remodeled last year:

Here’s the “after” showing what it looks like now as the “Renova Flat” – ugh:

 

I never did solve the mystery of this dome in Cleveland, OH — when it was built and for what.  It was demolished around 2018:

 

This former  National City Bank building in Tiffin, OH was demolished around 2018.  Luckily, it’s twin in Findlay, OH survives:

This St. Peter’s Church in Akron, OH was also demolished around 2018:

These two former Fotomats in Ohio are gone now.  This one in Canton, OH was gone by 2017:

and this one in Hamilton, OH was gone by 2018:

This building in Eastlake, OH was gone by 2018.  It may have housed a moving & storage place originally:

The St. Mark’s Lutheran Church in Provo, UT  was demolished about a year ago:

 
The Global Credit Union building in Spokane, WA was demolished about a year ago:

The Midland County Courthouse in Midland, TX was demolished in 2015. Google Street View is behind in many smaller towns & states.  Sometimes, the newest photos are from 2013:

 

This building in Amarillo, TX was demolished in 2018.  I never did figure out what was housed here originally:

The First Pasadena State Bank Building in Pasadena, TX was demolished last year.  It had been vacant since at least 2005:

 

I’ll be back in just a few minutes with the first post about signs.  I promise, it won’t be all bad news!

dj & the dogs