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In my travels on the back roads doing genealogy research, I’ve seen hundreds of remnants of times gone by. These iconic symbols of "Americana" inspired me to create this blog. By documenting them, I'll remember and maybe you'll find something interesting to hunt down next time you are in one of these areas!
You can use the search feature in the blog to look for specific cities or states. Enjoy!
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Rifle and Powder Horn Neon Sign, Holbrook Arizona
The Plainsman Restaurant is now closed and this great neon sign is sadly gone. The restaurant openend in 1966, the same year as the...
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May 12, 2024


Stagecoach On Top of a Restaurant, Holbrook Arizona
The Butterfield Stage Co. Steakhouse neon sign from the 1970's is great, but what I really enjoyed seeing was the stagecoach on top of...
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May 12, 2024


Joe & Aggies Cafe, Holbrook Arizona
I was so excited to see this place. I love all of the references to real places that are in the movie Cars and this place and it's owners...
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May 12, 2024


Vintage DQ Sign, Holbrook Arizona
I'm always excited to see modern businesses that have kept their original neon signage. This Dairy Queen sign made my day. The DQ was...
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Jan 25, 2024


Repurposed Neon Sign, Milan New Mexico
This big neon sign was originally made in 1958 for the Frontier Bar and Restaurant. In the 1950's and 60's there was also a Frontier Inn...
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Aug 11, 2023


Hollywood Diner, Grants New Mexico
You can barely see the name "Hollywood" at the top of this vintage neon diner sign. The diner opened in 1955 and closed in 2008. The old...
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Jul 15, 2023


Grant's Cafe Neon Sign, Grants New Mexico
So glad we got to see this sign before it was sold to a collector shortly after we saw it. After going to the trouble of restoring it as...
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Jul 15, 2023


Canton Cafe, Grants New Mexico
A 1960's neon sign for a Chinese restaurant that is still in business today. The building hasn't changed much over the years and the sign...
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Jul 15, 2023


Western View Steak House & Coffee Shop, Albuquerque New Mexico
On down the road was another coffee shop and steak themed restaurant. This one has been open since 1949 and the great neon sign with the...
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Jun 17, 2023


Mac's La Sierra Coffee Shop, Albuquerque New Mexico
This was the second giant cow on a sign we'd seen in two days, and it did get my attention but I wondered why a giant cow was a good...
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Jun 17, 2023


Garcia's Cafe, Albuquerque New Mexico
This is a great colorful neon sign. Garcia's lights up in green, Cafe in yellow backlit in red, both are underlined in bright pink and...
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Jun 8, 2023


Neon Tail-Wagging Dachshund, Albuquerque New Mexico
The Dog House Drive In hot dog joint with car side servers is definitely a throwback from Route 66 heydays. It started in the 1960's and...
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Jun 8, 2023


Griff's Hamburgers, Albuquerque New Mexico
Right down the road from Blake's was another great hamburger joint sign, with another kind of creepy looking little man on top. I wasn't...
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Jun 8, 2023


Blake's Lotaburger, Albuquerque New Mexico
We saw a few of these signs along Route 66 and even though it isn't neon, this somewhat creepy looking guy, who may or may not be wearing...
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Jun 8, 2023


A Roto-Sphere! Moriarty New Mexico
Formerly the El Comedor de Anayas Restaurant, this antique shop kept this fantastic roadside attraction sign. It doesn't work anymore,...
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Jun 8, 2023


Club Cafe, Original Home Of The "Fat Man", Santa Rosa New Mexico
The Club Cafe was opened in 1935 and a few years later, the famous "Fat Man" logo was created. The smiling portly figure in jacket and...
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Mar 25, 2023


The "Fat Man" Has Been Saved, Santa Rosa New Mexico
While driving by, I snapped a photo of the neon sign in front of Joseph's Bar & Grill because I liked the retro look of it. The...
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Mar 25, 2023


The Sun 'N Sand Motel & Restaurant, Santa Rosa New Mexico
The motel, built in the 1950's, was in pretty bad shape when we saw it, but the neon sign is still standing. The restaurant is still in operation and has a great neon sign that still works as well. You can see these neon signs on Route 66 in Santa Rosa, NM
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Mar 25, 2023


Iconic Route 66 Neon Sign Falling Into Disrepair, Santa Rosa New Mexico
I was so sad to see this iconic neon sign abandoned and falling apart. Those yellow diamonds, spelling out RESTAURANT are another classic...
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Mar 25, 2023


Thunderbird Neon Sign, Tucumcari New Mexico
I love this neon sign. It sits out front of the Pow Wow Restaurant and Lizard Lounge. This establishment was added to the Congress Inn...
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Mar 25, 2023
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