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| Hawkes Plaza sign Westbrook, ME |
J&J Cleaners sign Brunswick, ME |
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The Hawkes Plaza sign was built in 1962. It features a radio and TV serviceman. The original sign had a moving arm and 385 lightbulbs and fluorescent lighting which moved in a circular pattern. It created the illusion that the man was walking. The sign became too expensive to repair and the service store closed. The sign was restored and repainted in 2000 but zoning laws prevent recreation of the animated lighting.
The J&J Cleaners sign is part of the extended store canopy. These canopies were a common phenomenon with dry cleaners. As of 2005, I understand the building has been painted white but the sign is intact. [info thanks Roy Fredrickson] |
| Warren's Lobster House Kittery, ME |
Alex's Pizza Biddeford, ME |
Dairy Queen Saco, ME |
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Warren's Lobster House opened in 1940 as a six-stool seafood stand. They are now a huge operation and offer mail order and boat-docking for customers arriving by water. For more, see their website.
Alex's Pizza (aka Pizza by Alex) also opened in 1940. Their pizza gets rave reviews. This Dairy Queen "Little Miss" sign is perched on the roof. There is another one in Aurora, IL. |
| Starlite Motel Old Orchard Beach, ME |
Love Barn Orland, ME |
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Starlite Motel is right on Route 1. For more, see their website.
The Love Barn sells quite a few great gas station and other signs. They specialize in reconditioned antique stoves. For more, see these websites: 1 and 2. |
| Coffee Pot Bangor, ME |
Rotary Cleaners Augusta, ME |
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The Coffee Pot is famous for their sandwiches ("Italians"). I can't tell whether the sign is new or very well-preserved.
The Rotary Cleaners gets its name from the fact that it is on a rotary (traffic circle). It has some great signage and nice plate glass windows. |
| Stinson Man Prospect Harbor, ME |
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| The Stinson Man (aka Big Jim the Fisherman and the Sardine Man) is a 22' tall metal sign. Another source says he is 40-50' tall - which sounds closer to me. He was originally at an entrance to the Maine Turnpike, where he was painted on both sides and made of wood. When a storm severely damaged the wooden sign, it was replaced with this metal one. By the early 1980s, he was going to be torn down but was moved to the entrance to the Stinson Seafood plant and repainted. Stinson was the cannery for Beach Cliff sardines and they are the last herring cannery in the U.S. today. The plant has changed hands several times but, as of 2004, it looks like the sign is being well cared for. For more, see this website. |
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More ME Signs:
Blueberry (Jonesboro) Welcome sign (Lubec) Goldenrod Kisses (York Beach) |
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