Let’s dive right in. This combo neon/plastic sign is in Eureka, KS. I love the giant kettle:

This sign is in Arkansas City, KS. These corrugated panels with stick-on letters are getting so rare now. I don’t know if they are still produced. Whenever they get badly busted, most businesses/sign shops replace them with flat plastic panels:

A clever logo for this store in Wichita, KS:

Also used for the facade signs:

From Eureka, KS — the hotel’s website shows how bad-off the sign had gotten. It was supposedly installed in 1926 but, most likely, that was at least a few years later:

In 2011, it was “repainted” (also unlikely — looks like new panels to me). And missing now is that Claude Neon Federal tag at the bottom:

This NuWay Cafe location in Wichita opened in 1930 in a former Phillips 66 gas station. Those of you that “know” your stations, will recognize the gable in the middle of the building on the right:

The sign in the 1940s looked like this (from the restaurant’s website: I sure wish the carhop was not cutoff in the photo and that 7Up sign was still there). Note the neon above the entrance has been modified:

A close-up of the current sign from the 1970s. The panels were replaced in the 1970s to read “Crumbly Burgers” (their motto):

Jack’s North Hi Carryout in Wichita opened in 1951 across the street from North High School. Here’s what the sign and building looked like in my photo from 2010:

It opened and closed several times and, in 2021, new owners turned it into a donut shop. Jack’s still has neon but the panels were repainted and the toy jacks covered up:

One of my fave buildings in Wichita is the Knightley’s Parking Garage from 1949. My photo below from 2010:

Around 2021, a big building replaced the parking lot next to it and you can no longer get a nice shot of those curves and porthole windows:

At least the other end of the building with the sign remains visible and intact:

Here’s a fun midcentury facade in Arkansas City. I’m sure there’s brick behind this:

This former Cities Service gas station is in Wichita:

The canopy that would have covered the pumps is a bonus:

There’s a nicely restored Cities Service station with the same design in Tulsa, OK (no canopy though):

I believe this former gas station in Emporia, KS was a one-off. Here’s a photo from 2010:

In 2021, it began housing the Earthly Delights plant store and it was given this wild paint:

This theatre in Augusta, KS had a gorgeous top-half when it originally opened:

Unfortunately, the vitrolite tiles and glass details above were badly broken and I think all removed (we can pray maybe not) when this siding was installed. At least the glass tiles, Deco doors, frames, letters, and ticket booth remain:

This former Tastee-Freez in Augusta, KS has housed Miller’s Five Drive-in since 1964:

This cute windmill was built for Borst Nursery in Wichita. The business is gone but this sweet thing remains:

This big guy in Wichita was installed on the roof of Artist at Large Tattoo around 2009:

Lastly, this silo (?) in Severy, KS was transformed for the Needle in a Haystack Quilt Shop located in the building next to it:

About 4 days left from this trip to come. Then, some California stuff. Be back soon.

Happy trails,
dj & the dogs