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email: roadarch@outlook.com |
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| Illinois Signs (page 12) |
(hit "refresh" to get the most recent version of this page; click on photos for larger images)
| Chief Black Hawk [gone] Rock Island, IL |
Harris Pizza Rock Island, IL |
Mulkey's Restaurant Rock Island, IL |
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This Chief Black Hawk sign stood in front of the Watch Tower Plaza shopping center which was built in the 1960s. This sign was originally part of a larger one and was outlined with neon. This photo is from 2009. In 2015, it seemed likely that a Walmart would be built at the site. In 2021, the lot was still vacant but the sign was still there. In 2023, the sign fell over during a storm. It is now in City storage and it is not yet known what will be done with it. For more, see this website.
This Harris Pizza is the company's original location. It opened in 1960 and this sign is from then. For more, see this website. The company's third location in Davenport, IA also had a neon and bulb sign. [map] Mulkey's Restaurant opened in 1955. This sign is probably from then or a few years later. The embossed plastic, middle part of the sign might have revolved originally or it may have replaced another panel. Evidently, the restaurant had a franchise deal with the Henny Penny Corporation. For more, see these websites: 1 and 2. [map] |
| Roxana Auto Sales Roxana, IL |
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| The Roxana Auto Sales sign is probably from the 1950s or 1960s. The neon has been missing since at least 2002. The business is still operating. [map] |
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Rushville:
Knapp Jewelers |
| Odd Fellows Temple Salem, IL |
Continental Motel Salem, IL |
Lakewood Motel Salem, IL |
Restwell Motel [gone] Salem, IL |
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This Odd Fellows Temple sign is very similar to the one in Flora, IL. Both are probably from the 1950s. I don't know of any others like this. Between 2012 and 2015, this sign had been removed. It was apparently restored during that time. [map]
The Continental Motel, Lakewood Motel, and Restwell Motel signs all appear to be from the 1950s. The Restwell sign and the motel itself were gone by 2018. [Continental map], [Lakewood map] |
| Larimer Abstract Salem, IL |
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| Larimer Abstract was established in 1879. It moved to this location in 1935. The business closed in 2023 but this sign remains. It is probably from the 1950s. [map] |
| Radke Hotel [gone] Savanna, IL |
Col. Wes Chapman Auctioneer Service [gone] Seneca, IL |
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The Radke Hotel was built in the late 1800s. This sign is probably from the 1940s or 1950s. This photo is from 2009. By 2015, the sign was gone.
The Col. Wes Chapman Auctioneer Service business was long gone but the sign remained for decades. By 2018, the building and sign were gone. The sign is now in a private collection. This sign's panels were covering up another sign for the Plimmer Electric Shop. |
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More Savanna:
Filling Station [gone] |
| Rudy's Barbeque [gone] Shawneetown, IL |
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| Rudy's Barbeque started out as a sandwich shop in 1932. This porcelain panel sign is probably from the 1950s. It is about five feet tall. The restaurant closed in 2016 and was put up for sale in 2017. The owner would like the sign to go to a museum or collector but has not made a decision yet. When it was working, the sign was lit with red neon. Vandals kept throwing things at the sign and the owner gave up on repairing the tubing in recent years. Maintenance was too expensive and it was hard to find someone to work on it. The sign was removed in 2018. It went to a sign seller. For more, see this website. |
| Shawnee Chief Motel Shawneetown, IL |
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| The Shawnee Chief Motel opened in 1958. This sign appears to be from then. The neon has been broken since at least 2013. [map] |
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Skokie:
Charcoal Oven Crawford Church Shopping Center [gone] |
| Palmer's Beloit Nurseries [gone] South Beloit, IL |
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| Palmer's Beloit Nurseries was established in 1917. This sign was probably from the 1950s. When this photo was taken in 2012, it wasn't clear if the store was still open. The sign was gone by 2018. |
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More South Beloit:
Bean Shoe Service |
| Hi-Way Bakery South Chicago Heights, IL |
Sauk Trail Car Wash South Chicago Heights, IL |
Star Lite Motel South Holland, IL |
Prairie Materials [gone] South Holland, IL |
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The Hi-Way Bakery opened in 1938. It got its name from its location on the Dixie Highway. This sign was built in 1951 at a cost of $4,900 when the bakery moved to its current location. The owner refers to the sign's chef as "Miss Hi-Way." Supposedly, the person on the sign was modeled after the original owner's daughter. In 2019, the sign's neon was restored. [map]
The Sauk Trail Car Wash sign is probably from the 1960s or 1970s. [map] The Star Lite Motel sign appears to be from the 1950s. The star on top of the sign was gone by 2021. For more, see this website. [map] I believe this Prairie Materials location had been at this location since 1975. The sign was probably from around then. This photo is from 2008. By 2011, the company had moved and this sign was gone. |
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| IL (page 6) | IL (page 7) | IL (page 8) | IL (page 9) | IL (page 10) | IL (page 11) | IL (page 13) | IL (page 14) |
| Chicago (page 1) | Chicago (page 2) | Chicago (page 3) | Chicago (page 4) |
| Main Signs Page |
| RoadsideArchitecture.com |
Copyright. All photos at this website are copyrighted and may only be used with my consent. This includes posting them at Facebook, Pinterest, blogs, other websites, personal use, etc. Tips & Updates. If you have suggestions about places that I haven't covered, historical info, or updates about places/things that have been remodeled or removed, I'd love to hear from you: roadarch@outlook.com. |