El Coronado Motel Neon Sign, Gallup New Mexico
One of many unique Route 66 era motels that are now abandoned in Gallup. Originally a Service Garage and Motel Court, it was built around...
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In my travels on the back roads doing genealogy research, I’ve seen hundreds of remnants of times gone by. These iconic symbols of "Americana" inspired me to create this blog. By documenting them, I'll remember and maybe you'll find something interesting to hunt down next time you are in one of these areas!
You can use the search feature in the blog to look for specific cities or states. Enjoy!
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Oct 30, 2023
Historic El Rancho Motel Sign, Gallup New Mexico
The sign lights up in bright yellow and red and is beautifully maintained. Many old western films were filmed in Gallup and when in town,...
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Oct 30, 2023
Arrowhead Lodge Neon Sign, Gallup New Mexico
Some time in the 1960's, probably to catch the traveler's eye, this bright neon sign replaced a much more subdued stone arrowhead sign...
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Oct 30, 2023
El Capitan Motel Sign, Gallup New Mexico
The newer sign has been refurbished but still shows the 1960's style sign posts from the old sign and there's an even older smaller neon...
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Oct 30, 2023
Googie Style Neon Sign, Gallup New Mexico
Another of my favorite futuristic looking neon signs. The Road Runner Motel was torn down in 2017 but they had left the sign. Sadly, I...
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Oct 30, 2023
Continental Divide Sign, Continental Divide New Mexico
Heading west on Route 66 this was the first of many Contenintal Divide signs that mark the spot. This one is located in front of the...
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Aug 11, 2023
10 Gallon Hat Neon Sign, Milan New Mexico
I'm so glad that they kept this great shield shaped sign with the 10 gallon hat on top for Pinkston's Western Wear. The business appears...
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Aug 11, 2023
Repurposed Neon Sign, Milan New Mexico
This big neon sign was originally made in 1958 for the Frontier Bar and Restaurant. In the 1950's and 60's there was also a Frontier Inn...
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Aug 11, 2023
Another Lost Neon Sign, Grants New Mexico
All that was left of this motel was it's classic neon sign, but sadly it has been removed too since we were there. I don't know anything...
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Jul 15, 2023
Hollywood Diner, Grants New Mexico
You can barely see the name "Hollywood" at the top of this vintage neon diner sign. The diner opened in 1955 and closed in 2008. The old...
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Jul 15, 2023
Pat's Lounge, Grants New Mexico
Sentimentally, I was drawn to this sign as Patrick "Pat" was my late husband's name. I also loved the look of the building. It has a...
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Jul 15, 2023
Roarin' 20's Speakeasy sign, Grants New Mexico
Even looking behind the tree you can't read the bottom part of the sign any more, but it used to say "Bar Speak-easy Grill". The sign was...
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Jul 15, 2023
Space Age Neon Theater sign, Grants New Mexico
One of my favorite styles of old neon signs, this one is on the West Theater. The theater opened in 1959 and is still showing first run...
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Jul 15, 2023
Grant's Cafe Neon Sign, Grants New Mexico
So glad we got to see this sign before it was sold to a collector shortly after we saw it. After going to the trouble of restoring it as...
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Jul 15, 2023
Sands Motel Neon Sign, Grants New Mexico
I love these old space age styled neon signs. The style is actually called Googie, but I think they look like they came straight out of a...
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Jul 15, 2023
"Your Home On The Road", Franciscan Lodge, Grants New Mexico
Originally built as a cafe and motel in 1950, this neon sign was originally on top of the building and was moved to the three tall poles...
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Jul 15, 2023
Canton Cafe, Grants New Mexico
A 1960's neon sign for a Chinese restaurant that is still in business today. The building hasn't changed much over the years and the sign...
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Jun 17, 2023
The Infamous Bud's Service Station, Budville, New Mexico
The Budville Trading Company, was opened in 1928 by Bud Rice and was the site of several murders in the 1960's and 1970's. Bud himself...
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Jun 17, 2023
Big Green Saguaro Cactus Neon Sign, Albuquerque New Mexico
At first I thought this sign was a little bossy and perhap somewhat judgemental, stating "Westward Ho!". Then I realized it was just a...
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Jun 17, 2023
Western View Steak House & Coffee Shop, Albuquerque New Mexico
On down the road was another coffee shop and steak themed restaurant. This one has been open since 1949 and the great neon sign with the...
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