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Museum of Neon Art (page 1)

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The Museum of Neon Art (MONA) features vintage signs as well as modern, sculptural neon art. The museum was founded in 1981. After temporary locations in downtown Los Angeles and Universal City (see below), MONA opened at its permanent home in Glendale, CA in 2016. For more, see these websites: 1, 2, and 3. [map]

Grand Opening (2016)

The photos shown on this page are a small representation of MONA's collection. The museum rotates vintage signs from its collection and features other vintage and modern neon signs and artwork from outside collections and artists.

The animated Winning Wire sign (top row above) is from the 1920s and features ripple tin panels. It was donated to the museum in 1983. For more, see these websites: 1 and 2.

The Van de Kamp's Bakery sign (second row) features turning blades. These neon signs were mass-produced for the company's stores. This smaller version is believed to be from the 1960s. For more, see this website.

The two dog signs (second row) came from Papoo's Hot Dog Show in Burbank, CA. The neon and painted metal signs were built in 1949 when the business was known as The Hot Dog Show. The "Papoo" name was added in the late 1970s. For more, see these websites: 1, 2, 3, and 4.

The Bricklayer sign (third row) was built in 1952. It was part of a larger sign installed at Midway Building Materials which was "midway" between Ontario and Pomona. The sign was destroyed in the 1980s when it was hit by a car. This replica sign was built and installed then. The sign was donated to MONA in 2002. For more, see this website.

The Cocktail Glass sign (third row) came from an unknown bar in the Bay Area. The sign was built in the 1930s.

The Leader Foods sign (third row) came from the Grand Central Market in Los Angeles. It was built in the 1940s. For more, see this website.

The Shoe Repair sign (fourth row) was built in the 1950s by Los Angeles Neon Works. For more, see this website.

The Park sign (fourth row) came from a parking garage in downtown Los Angeles. It was built in the early 1930s and has ripple tin panels. It was donated to the museum in 2016. For more, see this website.

The Grill sign (fourth row) came from San Diego.

The Dining & Banquet Room sign (fourth row) came from the Bel-Air Motel in Fresno, CA. The sign was built in the 1950s. For more, see these websites: 1 and 2.

The Pie A La Mode sign (fourth row) came from the Los Angeles County Fairgrounds in Pomona, CA. It was built in the 1950s. The word "HOT" flashes sequentially over the "County Fair" text. For more, see this website.

The Fun Land sign (fourth and fifth row) was built in the 1930s. It was originally installed at an amusement park in New York.

The Chris' & Pitt's signs (sixth row) are from the 1950s. They were originally displayed at Chris' & Pitt's 8th location in the San Fernando Valley. The pole sign from this location is now located at the American Sign Museum in Cincinnati, OH. For more, see this website.

The Public Library sign was built in 1928 and was origally installed at the Eagle Rock Public Library. The sign was donated to the museum by the Eagle Rock Valley Historical Society. For more, see this website.

The Dr. N. Hoffman Optometrist sign (second row from the bottom) was built in the 1950s and was originally installed in Studio City. The store closed in the early 2000s. For more, see this website.

The Nozaki Biyouin Beauty Shoppe sign with Japanese characters was built in the 1940s. The business was located in the Little Tokyo neighborhood in Los Angeles. For more, see this website.

The Fasten Seat Belts sign was built in the 1950s. It was originally installed at the Caltrans building in downtown Los Angeles. The neon was restored by David Svenson.

The Pep Boys (Manny, Moe, & Jack) sign is from the 1970s. This sign was donated to the museum by the Pep Boys Corporation in 1990 when Manny's cigars were being removed from the company's logo.

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