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email: roadarch@outlook.com |
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| Illinois Signs (page 5) |
(hit "refresh" to get the most recent version of this page; click on photos for larger images)
| Orchard Inn Effingham, IL |
Effingham Motel Effingham, IL |
Masonic Lodge Effingham, IL |
Green Lantern Restaurant [gone] Effingham, IL |
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The Orchard Inn was established in 1934. This sign was probably installed in the 1950s or 1960s. Around 2020, the sign collapsed to the ground. It was badly damaged and replicated by Double D Signs later that year. This photo is from 2024. [map]
The Effingham Motel was built around 1948 as the Ooton Motel. There was a different sign there then. It became the Effingham Motel in 1950. This sign is probably from then. For more, see this website. [map] The Masonic Lodge moved to this building in 1949. This sign is probably from then. [map] The Green Lantern Restaurant was destroyed by fire in 2007. This photo is from 2005. The sign was removed in 2011. At that point, the plan was to restore the sign and sell it. |
| Ramada Inn [now in private collection] Effingham, IL 2010: |
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| This Ramada Inn sign originally looked like this. These signs were used nationwide. Sometimes referred to as the Bugler or the Butler, the bald innkeeper known as "Uncle Ben" appeared on the chain's signs from 1954 until around 1976. Early signs depict him wearing an apron. In 1961, he began wearing a suit and top hat. This motel was built in 1963. Around 2004, when the name was changed to Keller's Inn, the sign was adapted. The text was changed but the rest of the sign, including Uncle Ben, remained the same. Around 2007, the sign was removed and piled up in the parking lot. In 2010, the sign was sold to a private collector in Owensville, MO. The sign has been partially reassembled. The arm with the bugle will be added and the neon may be restored. This is believed to be the last Uncle Ben sign in existence. There was originally a smaller Uncle Ben sign at this location. That sign hit by a truck and destroyed. For more, see these websites: 1, 2, 3, and 4. |
| Neal Motel [gone] Eldorado, IL |
Colonial Lodge Motel Elgin, IL |
Elgin Car Wash Elgin, IL |
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The Neal Motel sign had been cut from its poles and was standing in front of the office when this photo was taken in 2010. The sign was still there in 2013. The motel, office and this sign were gone by 2018.
The Colonial Lodge Motel sign was built in 1955. It is about 65 feet tall and originally revolved. [map] The Elgin Car Wash sign appears to be from the 1950s. This sign was probably built by the same company that built this one in Chicago. By 2022, the sign was painted blue. [map] |
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More Elgin:
Bowlway Lanes [gone] Elizabeth:
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| Mack's Golden Pheasant Elmhurst, IL |
Steven's Steak House [gone] Elmhurst, IL |
Reliable Dinettes [gone] Elmwood Park, IL |
Horwath's Restaurant [gone] Elmwood Park, IL |
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Mack's Golden Pheasant opened in 1948. This sign may be from then. The restaurant closed in 2024 and the building will be demolished. The fate of the sign is not yet known but it seems certain it will be removed. For more, see this website. [map]
Steven's Steak House opened in 1958. It closed around 2006 and the sign was removed in 2011. This photo of the Reliable Dinettes sign is from 2001. The sign is gone now. A plastic box sign for Dinette World hangs in its place. This photo of the Horwath's Restaurant sign is from 2001. The restaurant opened in 1931. The sign was built in the late 1940s. The building and sign were demolished in 2004. |
| Elms Restaurant El Paso, IL |
Bennison's Bakery Evanston, IL |
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The Elms Restaurant was established in 1946. It closed in 2003 and the building has been vacant since then but this sign remains. It originally read "The Elms Motel" on top with "Dining Room" below the arrow and "Air Conditioned" below that. For more, see this website.
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Bennison's Bakery has been here since 1938. For more, see these websites: 1 and 2. [map] |
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More Evanston:
Scot Cleaners |
| Garden Cleaners [gone] Evergreen Park, IL |
Naples Bakery Evergreen Park, IL |
Wolf's Bakery Evergreen Park, IL |
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The Garden Cleaners is still around but this sign is not. The sign was most likely built in the 1950s. In 2009, it fell from its pole during a windstorm and was destroyed. For more, see this website.
The Naples Bakery was established in 1918. The facade and sign appear to be from the 1950s. The bakery closed in 2016. The sign was removed in 2017. Barraco's restaurant expanded into the space. In 2018, a replica of the Naples Bakery sign was reinstalled on the building. A graphic display panel has replaced the readerboard. For more, see this website. [map] Wolf's Bakery opened in 1935. When new owners took over in 1999, they had the sign repainted to its original colors. Wolf's had another location at one time. For more, see this website. [map] |
| American Legion Fairfield, IL |
Elks Lodge Fairfield, IL |
Red & White Fairfield, IL |
Kincaid's Fairfield, IL |
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The American Legion sign is probably from the 1950s. [map]
This Elks Lodge sign is probably from the 1950s. [map] This Red & White grocery store chain was established around 1925. This store has been closed since 2008 but this sign remains. It is probably from the 1960s. [map] Kincaid's, a hardware and home improvement store, was founded in 1918. It became part of the Do It Best chain in 2005. This sign is probably from the 1940s or 1950s. [map] |
| Nite Spot Cafe Fairmont City, IL |
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| The Nite Spot Cafe opened in 1933 in a smaller building. This sign is from the 1960s. The building has been vacant since 1984. [map] |
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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. |