email: roadarch@outlook.com

Los Angeles Signs (page 2)

(hit "refresh" to get the most recent version of this page; click on photos for larger images)

Johnny's Pastrami on Adams
Los Angeles, CA		 Supply Sergeant
Los Angeles, CA		 Dodger Stadium
Los Angeles, CA
The Johnny's Pastrami on Adams sign is probably from the 1950s. I believe the place closed in 2015. The sign was still there in 2018 but the building was boarded up. [map]

The Supply Sergeant military surplus supply store chain was established in 1946. Over the years, owner Jack Arian opened more than 40 stores in California and Reno, Nevada. Four locations are still operating including this one in Los Angeles which opened around 1950. This approximately 30-foot-wide sign was built by Federal Sign and Signal and installed in 1964. There was a similar rooftop sign in El Monte. In the late 1990s, the Los Angeles sign was restored with financial assistance from the City. However, the sign has not been lit for nearly 10 years. At this point, there are no plans to fix it. For more, see these websites: 1 and 2. [map]

This backlit plastic, baseball-shaped sign at Dodger Stadium is one of many that light the parking lot. The stadium opened in 1962 and these signs are probably from then. [map]

Holiday Lodge Motel
Los Angeles, CA
2013: 2019:
The Holiday Lodge Motel was built in 1962 and this sign is probably from then. The stars at the top of the sign probably revolved originally. The "Motel" letters may have been neon before they were changed to backlit plastic. In 2015, the sign was painted red. [map]

Cole's French Dip
Los Angeles, CA

2012 and 2014:
2022: 2023:
Cole's French Dip opened in 1908. These signs are probably from the 1950s. They were restored in 2008. The sign reads "Originators Since 2008" under the "Since 1908" add-on panel. However, I believe the panels originally read "Checks Cashed" in that spot. In 2022, a replica of the projecting sign was built and installed. The sign on the building was removed in 2022. It was restored and reinstalled in 2023. For more, see these websites: 1 and 2. [map]

Pig 'N Whistle [gone]
Los Angeles, CA		 Alto Nido
Los Angeles, CA
The Pig 'N Whistle opened in downtown Los Angeles in 1908. This Hollywood location opened in 1927. I believe this canopy is the original. However, the "Pig 'N Whistle" panel was replaced at some point and the lettering was redone. The "Restaurant" part of the sign originally read "Cafe". In 2021, the restaurant closed and the building was being renovated for Mr. Tempo. Despite landmarking, the letters and signs were all removed. Some of the letters are now at the Valley Relics Museum. For more, see this website. [map]

The Alto Nido apartment building was built in 1930. These signs may be from then. For more, see this website. [map]

Dallas Drive-in Cleaners
Los Angeles, CA
2008: 2013:
The Dallas Drive-in Cleaners sign had been stripped of neon and bulbs by 2008. By 2013, it had been repainted for a barber shop.

Capri Restaurant
Los Angeles, CA		 Commercial
Exchange Building
Los Angeles, CA		 Hotel Clark
Los Angeles, CA		 De Mille Manor Apartments
Los Angeles, CA
The Capri Restaurant opened in 1963. This sign was probably adapted from an earlier Italian restaurant at this location. [map]

The Commercial Exchange Building was built in 1924. The 12-story-tall sign, believed to be the tallest in Los Angeles, was installed then. The sign was restored around 2016. This photo is from 2019. [map]

The Hotel Clark was built in 1914. This sign was probably added in the 1930s or 1940s. There were also rooftop, neon scaffold signs which are long gone. The building was used for low-rent housing for decades. It became a hotel again in 2019. For more, see this website. [map]

The De Mille Manor Apartments were built in 1926. This sign is probably from then or shortly thereafter. [map]

Million Article Thompson
Los Angeles, CA

2013:
2019:
Million Article Thompson was a hardware store. The store is long gone but the sign remains. The sign was installed in 1932. Around 2019, the right panel's right side was damaged, possibly by wind. It has not been repaired. For more, see this website. [map]

Los Angeles
(page 1)		 Los Angeles
(page 3)		 Los Angeles
(page 4)		 Los Angeles
(page 5)		 Los Angeles
(page 6)
Alameda Bakersfield Fresno Hayward &
San Leandro		 Long Beach Oakland
Sacramento San Diego Area San Francisco San Jose Stockton Museum of
Neon Art		 Valley Relics Museum Other
California

Main Signs Page