Central Camera

I'm pretty sure we've visited Central Camera's classic vintage sign, but it's such a nice one it's worth revisiting. I took this one just last October, and it was such a grab shot that it's turned out far nicer than it had any business being. I don't often go for selective color, but in this instance I think it worked out very nicely.

Tivoli

Tivoli, a photo by William 74 on Flickr.

I believe we've visited Downers Grove's historic Tivoli Theater before. It's a nice old building, but it's marquee is kind of hard to shoot. It's only one-sided, and sticks out at a weird angle from the building. Plus you have to stand in the middle of the street to get a clear shot at it. Fortunately, even on a Saturday night, traffic's fairly light.

North Star Blankets

North Star Blankets, a photo by William 74 on Flickr.

The North Star Blankets ghost neon sign in Minneapolis, Minnesota. There are a number of interesting signs and buildings right along the Mississippi in Minneapolis, as befits a river town I guess.

This one was given the through the viewfinder treatment with an old Kodak Duaflex.

Oil, Coal Gas, Furnaces

Ghost, a photo by William 74 on Flickr.

Ghost sign in Batavia, Illinois. It's one of the few ghosts left in this town, although I haven't been able to figure out what the name of the original shop was.

Coke

Coke, a photo by William 74 on Flickr.

Another vintage Coca Cola sign, this one hanging in front of a laundromat in Genoa City, Wisconsin. This sort of sign would have originally been in front of a store or restaurant, the name of which would go where the laundromat's name is now. In fact, I wouldn't be surprised if this sign was recycled from an old diner or drugstore.

Aug. Hipp Market

Aug. Hipp Market, a photo by William 74 on Flickr.

A very old ghost sign on the east side of Aurora, Illinois. I've attempted to photograph it several times over the last couple of years, but between the trees in the yard next door, the fence, the No Trespassing signs, and the vines that grow on the building, it's kind of hard to get a good shot. I got this in the early spring, on a quiet Sunday.

I imagine that it's short for "Augustus", although I've not found a whole lot of info about this former market.

Philadelphia Church

Philadelphia Church #3-Chicago, IL, a photo by William 74 on Flickr.

We've visited the Philadelphia Church in Chicago's Andersonville neighborhood before. Just thought I'd share another view of this classic old sign.

Hotpoint Appliances

Hotpoint Appliances, a photo by William 74 on Flickr.

Once again, it pays to wander around back alleys. This vintage Hotpoint Appliances neon sign (with a bonus hanger for a hardware store) was spotted in an alley in the tiny town of Polo, Illinois. I've visited this town a couple of times, yet this is the first time I've seen this hidden gem. I don't believe this was a hanging sign, but was a wall hanger from the beginning. I also don't know if this is anywhere near the original location of Port's Hardware, or if such a business even existed in Polo. It certainly isn't there now.

Shootin' The Bull

Shootin' The Bull, a photo by William 74 on Flickr.

Well known Bull Durham tobacco ghost sign in Des Moines, Iowa. I don't know what this building used to be back in the day, but it's down by the Mississippi, so I imagine it was a warehouse of some sort at one time. Still faded, and repainted at least once, but still hanging in there.

Title sound familiar? I recycled it.

Walnut Hill Liquors

Walnut Hill Liquors, a photo by William 74 on Flickr.

Spotted this gem in Freeport, Illinois, as I was traveling along the Grant on my way to Iowa. Well seasoned, but a nice example of fifties/sixties neon goodness. Plus the glass still seems to be in good nick-I should go back that way and see if they still light it up!

Deliciously Different!

Deliciously Different!, a photo by William 74 on Flickr.

Created in 1866 by Detroit pharmacist James Vernor, Vernor's Ginger Ale is the oldest surviving ginger ale brand in the United States. After opening his own drugstore on Woodward Avenue, Vernor began selling bottling franchises for his popular drink, city by city. Primarily a regional drink (and it remains most popular in Michigan, northeastern Ohio, and Southern Ontario), Vernor's became a national brand in the 1980's. Although, now I think of it, it's still kind of hard to find!

This vintage Vernor's sign is on display in the Museum Of Science and Industry, in Chicago.

Chateau Hotel

Chateau Hotel-Chicago, IL, a photo by William 74 on Flickr.

I could never tell if this was supposed to be the "Chateau Hotel" or the "Hotel Chateau". The signs seem to suggest both!

Northgate

Northgate-Aurora, IL, a photo by William 74 on Flickr.

The Northgate Shopping Center has been a fixture in Aurora, Illinois for decades. The buildings have been modernized down through the years, but it still has this excellent Googie style sign (the font practically date codes it to the mid 50's, don't it?). Sadly, most of the neon is now burned out, as well as several of the letters. Still, at least it's still standing.

The Tivoli Theater

The Tivoli Theater, a photo by William 74 on Flickr.

The historic Tivoli Theater in Downers Grove, Illinois. A classically styled old school movie palace.

Tivoli Lanes

Tivoli Lanes, a photo by William 74 on Flickr.

When I rule the world, I will enact a law making it mandatory for all bowling alleys to have cool neon signs out front.

Tivoli Lanes, Downers Grove, IL

G.C. Murphy

G.C. Murphy, a photo by William 74 on Flickr.

G.C. Murphy was a chain of five-and-dimes, founded in 1906 in McKeesburg, PA by George Clinton Murphy, and within three years had expanded to a dozen area locations. As the company expanded through the 1920's they became popular, particularly because of their locations in small and medium sized towns. Often, these towns were under-served for retail locations, and the well designed Murphy's stores, complete with lunch counters, would be a frequent and popular destination.

G.C. Murphy began to experiment with other types of store, eventually opening Murphy's Mart stores in suburban shopping centers to compete with Woolworth's and KMart type stores. These proved popular as well, and the company had grown to over 500 stores by the 1970's. In 1985, the company was purchased by Ames, which rebranded many older G.C. Murphy and Murphy's Mart stores, but a large number remained with the original names. McCrory's purchased the chain in the late 80's, but by the mid 90's had declared bankruptcy and closed many of their locations. By 2001, it was all over.

This G.C. Murphy tile entryway is in a former location in Streator, Illinois, just the sort of medium-sized town these kinds of stores flourished in.

Wheaton Grand Theater

Wheaton Grand Theater, a photo by William 74 on Flickr.

The Wheaton Grand Theater (or just the Grand) opened in 1925, with one screen and 1,000 seats. It first closed in the late 90's as a second run theater, but new owners re-opened and ran classic films, concerts, and other shows until 2006. The Grand has sat empty since, although a new owner is in the process of renovating and hopes to re-open in 2014.

I think this sign has been lightly refurbished in the last year or so-the paint looks nice and bright, even though the glass is mostly broken and missing. I hope the restoration of this cool old theater is successful-the exterior is still in nice shape and has lots of great period detail. It should look great.

Redman's Yarn Emporium

Redman's Yarn Emporium, a photo by William 74 on Flickr.

A vintage, faded, partially painted over sign in downtown Streator, Illinois. I imagine this started out as a knitting store and ended up just being a dime store or something, judging from the faded paint covering up "YARN". The store was undergoing a remodel when I walked past, judging from the construction debris in the doorway.

The Catlow Theater

The Catlow Theater, a photo by William 74 on Flickr.

Vintage neon at the Catlow Theater in Barrington, Illinois. Opened in 1927, this single screen gem also hosted stage shows, and still has most of its vintage charm. I believe this sign dates from the postwar period, probably the fifties. It has that look about it.

And, in a bright bit of news, until late last year, the Catlow was facing an uncertain future, due to the movie studios moving towards all-digital formats over old fashioned film. Upgrading costs typically go to about $100,000 per screen, something the Catlow's owners couldn't afford. Fortunately, a Kickstarter campaign raised the necessary funding, and this absolute gem of a theater can continue to serve the Barrington area (as evidenced by the fact that Skyfall is on the marquee!).

Around the Clock

Around the Clock, a photo by William 74 on Flickr.

Vintage neon sign outside of a vintage restaurant in Crystal Lake, Illinois. I'm told this sign works pretty well, too, and looks great all lit up.