2012:

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.

More Effingham: Masonic Lodge

Neal Motel [gone] Eldorado, IL	Colonial Lodge Motel Elgin, IL	Elgin Car Wash Elgin, IL

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]

More Elgin: Bowlway Lanes [gone] Elizabeth: Buick & Pontiac signs: 1, 2 [gone] Elizabeth Banking Center

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

Mack's Golden Pheasant opened in 1948. This sign may be from then. 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.

El Paso: Elms Restaurant [map]

Bennison's Bakery Evanston, IL

Bennison's Bakery has been here since 1938. For more, see these websites: 1 and 2. [map]

More Evanston: Scot Cleaners

Garden Cleaners [gone] Evergreen Park, IL	Naples Bakery Evergreen Park, IL	Wolf's Bakery Evergreen Park, IL

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]

Fairfield: American Legion Elks Lodge Fairmont City: Nite Spot Cafe Fairview Heights: French Village Motel [gone] Trailway Motel [map]

Art's Motel [gone] Farmersville, IL	Odd Fellows Temple Flora, IL	Masonic Lodge Flora, IL	American Legion Flora, IL

This Art's Motel sign was completely rusted in 2006. The viewable, south side of the sign was repainted in 2007 by the Route 66 Association of Illinois. In 2018, the sign was removed. One of the panels is now on display inside Route 66 Motorheads Bar & Grill in Springfield, IL. It was saved by a collector. For more, see this website. This Odd Fellows Temple sign is used by the Independent Order of Odd Fellows. It was probably built in the 1940s or 1950s. [map] This small Masonic Lodge sign looks like it might have been cut from the top of a larger sign. [map] This American Legion sign was most likely double-sided and projected out from the building. [map]

More Flora: Flora Motel

Oak Leaf Lounge [gone] Forest Park, IL

The Oak Leaf Lounge building originally housed the Oak Leaf Laundry and Cleaners and this sign was built for that business. The text for "Launderers" and "Cleaners" was removed in the 1950s when the place reopened as the Oak Leaf Lounge. In 2022, the building was demolished and the Park District of Forest Park kept the sign. There are plans to display the sign inside the new building on the site when it is built.

Ferrara Pan Candy Co. Forest Park, IL	Pines Lobster & Steak House [gone] Forest Park, IL

The Ferrara Pan Candy Co. was founded in 1908. It is still in business as the Ferrara Candy Company. This sign might be from the 1950s. [map] The Pines Lobster & Steak House sign appeared to be from the 1950s. This photo is from 2012. The sign was still there in 2015 but gone by 2016. It is now in a private collection. For more, see this website.

Franklin Park: Smithereen Exterminators [gone] Freeport: Luecke Jewelers

V.F.W. Club Galena, IL	Log Cabin Steakhouse Galena, IL	Young's Appliances Glen Ellyn, IL	Dutch Maid Cleaners [gone] Glenview, IL

This V.F.W. Club sign is probably from the 1950s. I believe the bar immediately below this sign is run or at least owned by the V.F.W. For more, see this website. [map] This Log Cabin Steakhouse opened in 1935. The sign is probably from the 1950s. It appears to have been refurbished recently. Does anyone know if the sign was more log-like originally? For more, see this website. [map] Young's Appliances opened in 1931 as Young's Home Utilities. This sign was built in 1966 when the business changed its name to Young's Appliances. The "GE Frigidaire" part of the sign revolved until the early 1980s. This photo is from 2012. In 2014, this sign was removed and a new one installed. The Young's logo colors were changed to blue and the Frigidaire text was replaced with Whirlpool and KitchenAid. The marquee was replaced with a backlit LED message board. The top half of the sign is rotating again. [map] The Dutch Maid Cleaners looked like it was built in the 1950s. This plastic sign was probably installed then or in the 1960s. The store closed in 2018. By 2023, the sign and building were gone.

More Glenview: Meier's Tavern [map] Granite City: Bel-Air Drive-in [gone] Tri-Cities Labor Temple

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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.