Large Scale Central

Documenting CA's vintage neon signs in photos and models

General Discussion
#1

Meet California’s Nerds of Neon## These photo-taking, model-making obsessives are documenting the state’s vintage signs before they vanish.by Jody Amable October 4, 2019

https://www.atlasobscura.com/articles/california-vintage-neon-sign-photo-model

… But that was then. These days there aren’t many neon beacons beckoning to drivers on California thoroughfares. As the state’s population swells, and its once-funky places gentrify, a small community of signhunters (the sign geeks who visit vintage placards in person) are racing to document the signs they love—taking and sharing photos, rendering skillful sketches, making miniature scale models—before they get knocked down to make way for condos and Walmarts.

Growing up in a town about 40 miles north of Fresno, Raley drove past the Astro Motel sign countless times. He didn’t think much of it back then. But in 2015, a realignment of State Highway 99—to accommodate California’s long-time-coming high-speed rail project—put the sign in harm’s way.

…

#2

The day I went to the Neon Sigh Museum in Nevada (Las Vegas ) it was closed ( 100 mile an Hr. winds that day ) from what I could see thru the fence was impressive .

In Boston we do have the Citco sign then this among others

Each area had there signs in their day .

#3

Sean McGillicuddy said:

The day I went to the Neon Sigh Museum in Nevada (Las Vegas ) it was closed ( 100 mile an Hr. winds that day ) from what I could see thru the fence was impressive .

In Boston we do have the Citco sign then this among others

Each area had there signs in their day .

I lived in Vegas when those museum signs were still in active use and part of the scenery. (http://www.largescalecentral.com/externals/tinymce/plugins/emoticons/img/smiley-wink.gif)

#4

Some still are:

#5

When I was a child, there was a sign company behind my house. The old signs were put in a gravel lot behind that building and broken up for scrap. Oh the classic signs I saw meet their fate when I was growing up. :frowning:

#6

On an episode of American Pickers that was on last night, Danielle had taken a very large and toasty sign into a neon shop in Kentucky for restoration. What a neat shop this old guy runs. I’d love to work for him :smiley: Some of the most fun work I’ve done in the sign shop has been restoring old signs. We don’t do neon. That’s a skill I wish I had.

@Sean - I spent two years living in the shadow of that Citgo sign in Kenmore Square back in the early 70’s. At the time several sections of neon were out and there were rumors it wouldn’t be fixed. I was glad to learn years later that it had been restored and still lights up Back Bay today.

#7

So that Citgo sign really is neon, or florescent backlit? White neon?

Greg

#8

Not certain; but I believe it is all neon. Technically only Red is pure Neon gas. Blue is Argon gas. Gasses are mixed to get a wide range of color. And yes; white is one possible color. I have a bunch of white tubes in the shop I’m saving for some unknown future project.

#9

#10

WOW!

Thanks Jon

Greg

#11

Jon Radder said:

That’s a skill I wish I had.

When Dad retired from USN in late 1980s and we moved to Missouri, Grandad Wood was going to teach me how to do neon, he and a friend had had a sign company in previous decades. But, life did those things life does and Alzheimer’s hit him hard and fast.

So it would appear it was not meant for me to get hot glass burns.

#12

Cool video of the Citgo sign!

I love old neon signs, especially the animated ones.

Reminds me of a visual gag from the old “Police Squad” TV series (predecessor to the “Naked Gun” movies.) The detectives go looking for a guy at a joint called “Club Flamingo”, and there’s a big animated neon sign of a guy clubbing a flamingo!

#13

https://youtu.be/q40fKsRsHFU?t=7

#14

If you want signs for your railroad that light up, check these out:

https://www.microstru.com/index.html