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Missouri Signs (page 2)

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Boomland
Charleston, MO

2006:
2024:
The Boomland fireworks store and gift shop opened in Charleston in 1958. The huge pole sign, visible from the interstate, might have been installed then. The second sign at ground level near the store is gone now. There are two other locations in Missouri but they do not have noteworthy signs. For more, see these websites: 1 and 2. [map]

Masonic Lodge
Chillicothe, MO		 Hotel Strand
Chillicothe, MO		 Starlite Motel [gone]
Chillicothe, MO		 Ireland Advertising
& Electric [gone]
Chillicothe, MO
This Masonic Lodge sign is probably from the 1950s. [map]

The Hotel Strand was built from 1924-1925. This sign or a similar one was here by 1931. It features textured, porcelain enamel panels and embossed letters. The building is now used for apartments. [map]

The Starlite Motel sign was probably from the 1950s. The sign was previously painted different colors. It was gone by 2022. For more, see these websites: 1 and 2.

The Ireland Advertising & Electric sign was probably adapted from another business. The fox appeared to be painting. The business name part of the sign was plastic. By 2018, the building was housing a used car dealership and the sign was gone.

Clinton:
Sherman Plumbing & Heating Co.

Glenn's Cafe
Columbia, MO		 Arrow Head Motel [gone]
Columbia, MO
Glenn's Cafe opened around 1943 in Boonville, MO. The sign was originally red and white. There was also a smaller panel that projected below this text panel. In 1988, the business and sign were moved to Columbia. In 2002, Glenn's closed and they were moved back to Boonville. Finally, in 2013, they were moved back to Columbia. For more, see these websites: 1, 2, and 3. [map]

The Arrow Head Motel was built in 1938. I believe this sign was built by Harry Dietz Signs in the 1950s. The motel had been closed since at least 2013 and a U-Haul distributor operated on the property. These photos are from 2010. The panels of the Indian blowing smoke rings over a fire were removed around 2020. The smoke rings were animated originally but stopped due to a change in the sign laws in the 1970s. In 2021, a permit to demolish the property was applied for. I believe the sign has been removed.

Independent
Order of
Odd Fellows
Columbia, MO		 Dryer's Shoe Store
Columbia, MO		 Eastwood Motel [gone]
Columbia, MO
This Independent Order of Odd Fellows sign is probably from the 1950s. [map]

Dryer's Shoe Store opened in 1956 and is still in business. This sign is probably from then. The Weather-Bird Shoes company goes back to at least the late 1940s. Like Red Goose Shoes, I'm sure this logo appeared on other neon shoe store signs. However, this is the only Weather-Bird sign that I know of that's still on display. [map]

The Eastwood Motel was built in the 1960s and these signs must have been from then. These photos are from 2010. By 2013, the red sign had been replaced with a sign for another business. In 2021, the buildings were demolished. By 2024, the tall sign had been removed and the "Eastwood" panel was in storage at the Midwest Sign Company in Kansas City, KS.

63 Diner [gone]
Columbia, MO
The 63 Diner opened in 1989. The restaurant had a collection of restored and new signs displayed in the parking lot. The pig and vertical EAT signs were vintage. The atomic sign apparently came from a Mr. Quick location like this one that was in Carthage, MO. The restaurant closed in 2015. The signs were still there in 2016. However, by 2018, everything was gone and the building was still vacant. For more, see these websites: 1, 2, and 3.

Topsy's Cafe
Concordia, MO		 Wagon Wheel Motel
Cuba, MO
This Topsy's Cafe sign was found in the attic in 2021 and before being reinstalled, the neon was restored by Fossil Forge Design. It had been replaced long ago with a modern plastic sign. Topsy's opened in 1912 and this sign was built in 1951. [map]

The Wagon Wheel Motel opened in 1935 as the Wagon Wheel Cabins. It is listed on the National Register of Historic Places. The neon sign was designed by the motel's owner, John Mathis, and installed in 1947. For more, see these websites: 1, 2, 3, and 4.

Conway:
Missouri Route 66 Welcome Center

Bob's Gasoline Alley [gone]
Cuba, MO
These signs are displayed at Bob's Gasoline Alley. Bob Mullen's collection of signs, advertising, gas pumps, toy John Deere tractors, soda machines and other stuff could be seen by appointment. Bob passed away in 2020 and the entire collection was auctioned off. For more, see this website.

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