| Super Signage |
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| MORE CALIFORNIA (page 5) |
| Anatel Liquors Downey, CA |
Chris & Pitts Bar-B-Q Bellflower, CA |
Chris & Pitts Bar-B-Q Downey, CA |
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The Anatel Liquors signage is an interesting mix of bulbs, neon and plastic.
The Chris & Pitts Bar-B-Q chain was founded in Lynwood, CA in 1940. The Bellflower location was the fourth one built. I think this log-painted building was unique to the chain. I'm not sure when the Downey location opened but this was the sixth in the chain. I'm told this is not their original sign. The Chris & Pitts' Van Nuys location closed in 2003. However, the neon sign was saved. Part of it went to the Museum of Neon Art in Los Angeles and the other part is at the American Sign Museum in Cincinnati, OH. For more, see these websites: 1 and 2. |
| Rancho Super Car Wash Rancho Mirage, CA |
Shields Date Gardens Indio, CA |
Tropics Motor Hotel Indio, CA |
Sharene Motel San Bernardino, CA |
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The Rancho Super Car Wash opened around 1960. This car wash was originally part of the Elephant Car Wash chain in the Seattle area. This sign is lit at night. For more, see these websites: 1 and 2.
Shields Date Gardens was founded in 1924 by Floyd and Bess Shields. This 40' tall sign and their current building are from 1953. For more, see these websites: 1, 2, 3, and 4. The Tropics Motor Hotel was part of a 1960s chain with five locations in the area, including the now-named Caliente Tropics Resort in Palm Springs. For more, see these websites: 1 and 2. The Sharene Motel has a classic 1950s-looking sign. |
| Center Chevrolet San Bernardino, CA |
Clover Club San Bernardino, CA |
Jug & Jigger Liquor San Bernardino, CA |
Gourmet Dinner House San Bernardino, CA |
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Center Chevrolet features this towering sign. The neon still works at night. For more, see this website.
The Clover Club sign looks like it was recently painted a more appropriate kelly green. Some of the light blue paint still shows through. The neon looks like it might be intact. Jug & Jigger Liquor has a fun plastic and bulb sign. The Gourmet Dinner House sign is topped with a nice-looking Sputnik like those on this page. The green portion of the sign was repainted turquoise in 2008. For more, see this website. |
| Shakey's Pizza San Gabriel, CA |
San Gabriel Lanes San Gabriel, CA |
Welcome sign San Gabriel, CA |
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This Shakey's Pizza has a now rare, old neon sign. Another well-preserved example can be found in Monterey Park, CA (1 and 2) and adapted signs in Downey, CA and Modesto, CA. The San Gabriel Lanes has been closed for several years and there are plans to demolish the building. It is unlikely that the sign will be saved. The Mission-style San Gabriel Welcome sign appears to be a contemporary sign but is very nicely done. |
| Twohey's Restaurant Alhambra, CA |
Gar-Duno's Taco King Monterey Park, CA |
Zinke's Shoe Repair Pasadena, CA |
Spring Garden Restaurant Pasadena, CA |
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Twohey's Restaurant opened in 1943 in Pasadena and moved here in the 1950s. Their three-sided sign, which I believe is a contemporary replacement, features their mascot "Little Stinko". Twohey's is famous for their Stinko Burgers which are smothered with onions. They offered car hop service until 1977 when the building was remodeled. For more, see these websites: 1, 2, and 3.
Gar-Duno's Taco King was established in 1941 but this location has been closed for years. I believe this one in El Monte, CA is still open. The Zinke's Shoe Repair opened in 1919. This sign, which I believe is still lit at night, is from 1948. There is a similar sign at their Glendale, CA location. There was another sign there which was removed. For more, see this website. The Spring Garden Restaurant sign has a nice mid-century design. Does anyone know if this is the original business here or if this sign has been updated? |
| Bells & Vaughn Pasadena, CA |
Pasada Motel Pasadena, CA |
C&H Surplus Pasadena, CA |
Original Whistle Stop Pasadena, CA |
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Bells & Vaughn has been in the collision repair business since 1946. For more, see their website.
The Pasada Motel sign is still lit at night. For more, see their website. C&H Surplus is an electronics and hobby shop. They moved to Duarte in 2008 and I'm not sure what will happen with this sign. The Original Whistle Stop has been selling model trains since 1951. When the business moved to a different location in town, the original sign was brought along. With help from the Pasadena Cultural Heritage Foundation, the sign was reinstalled many months later. The sign is animated with neon spinning wheels and puffing smoke. For more, see these websites: 1, 2, 3, and 4. |
| Cameron's Seafood Pasadena, CA |
Gus's Barbecue South Pasadena, CA |
Fair Oaks Pharmacy South Pasadena, CA |
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Cameron's Seafood opened in 1984. This sign is lit at night. For more, see these websites: 1 and 2.
Gus's Barbecue opened in 1946. In 1987, an earthquake forced the closure of the building. They reopened in 1990. Their neon signs are still lit at night. For more, see these websites: 1, 2, and 3. The Fair Oaks Pharmacy opened in 1915 as the South Pasadena Pharmacy. It was known as the Raymond Pharmacy in the 1920s and 1930s. The pharmacy was restored in the early 1990s. Antique cabinetry and a soda fountain from the McGee Pharmacy in Joplin, MO were installed at that time. This neon sign is lit at night. For more, see these websites: 1, 2, and 3. |
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