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email: roadarch@outlook.com |
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| Illinois Signs (page 8) |
(hit "refresh" to get the most recent version of this page; click on photos for larger images)
| Royal Liquor Mart Rockford, IL |
Der Rathskeller [gone] Rockford, IL |
North Main Tavern [gone] Rockford, IL |
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The Royal Liquor Mart opened in 1960. This sign appears to be from then. [map]
The Der Rathskeller restaurant and sausage shop opened in 1931. This sign was probably from the 1950s or 1960s. The restaurant closed in 2019. In 2020, the business reopened as Rathskeller Rockford and the sign was moved to the garden. That business closed in 2021. In 2023, the sign was sold to a private collector. For more, see this website. The North Main Tavern opened in 1934. This sign might be from then. This photo is from 2012. In 2013, the bar announced that it was moving since the building was being demolished to make room for a two-lane roundabout. As of 2015, it doesn't sound like the bar has reopened. The building and sign are gone. I don't know if this sign was saved. |
| Wayne's Feed Store Rockford, IL |
Parthenios Luncheonette [gone] Rockford, IL |
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The Wayne's Feed Store freestanding sign cleverly features a leaking bucket that spells out what's for sale inside. This sign has been stripped of its original neon and painted many times over the years. I've been told that that neon "spillage" was originally animated. The sign was repainted around 2017. [map]
The Parthenios Luncheonette opened in 1969 and closed in 2010. The signs were still there when these photos were taken in 2012. The signs were adapted from the previous tenant, the Hobson Drug Co. They appear to be from the 1940s or earlier. The neon letters on the vertical sign alternated between "Food" and "Drugs". In 2017, the signs were removed. They were sold at auction and are now in a private collection. |
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More Rockford:
Adams Letter Service Central Park Tap Don Carter Lanes Drive-in Liquor Store [gone?] I. Spinello Locksmiths M. Spinello Locksmiths [gone] Palace Shoe Service [gone] Tenstopet Tavern [gone] |
| Chief Black Hawk [gone] Rock Island, IL |
Harris Pizza Rock Island, IL |
Mulkey's Restaurant Rock Island, IL |
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This Chief Black Hawk sign stood in front of the Watch Tower Plaza shopping center which was built in the 1960s. This sign was originally part of a larger one and was outlined with neon. This photo is from 2009. In 2015, it seemed likely that a Walmart would be built at the site. In 2021, the lot was still vacant but the sign was still there. In 2023, the sign fell over during a storm. It is now in City storage and it is not yet known what will be done with it. For more, see this website.
This Harris Pizza is the company's original location. It opened in 1960 and this sign is from then. For more, see this website. The company's third location in Davenport, IA also has a neon and bulb sign. [map] Mulkey's Restaurant opened in 1955. This sign is probably from then or a few years later. The embossed plastic, middle part of the sign might have revolved originally or it may have replaced another panel. Evidently, the restaurant had a franchise deal with the Henny Penny Corporation. For more, see these websites: 1 and 2. [map] |
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Roxana:
Roxana Auto Sales Rushville:
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| Odd Fellows Temple [gone] Salem, IL |
Continental Motel Salem, IL |
Lakewood Motel Salem, IL |
Restwell Motel [gone] Salem, IL |
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This Odd Fellows Temple sign had the same design as the one in Flora, IL. I don't know of any others like this. This photo is from 2010. Between 2012 and 2015, this sign had been removed.
The Continental Motel, Lakewood Motel, and Restwell Motel signs all appear to be from the 1950s. The Restwell sign and the motel itself were gone by 2018. [Continental map], [Lakewood map] |
| Radke Hotel [gone] Savanna, IL |
Col. Wes Chapman Auctioneer Service [gone] Seneca, IL |
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The Radke Hotel was built in the late 1800s. This sign is probably from the 1940s or 1950s. This photo is from 2009. By 2015, the sign was gone.
The Col. Wes Chapman Auctioneer Service business was long gone but the sign remained for decades. By 2018, the building and sign were gone. The sign is now in a private collection. This sign's panels were covering up another sign for the Plimmer Electric Shop. |
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More Savanna:
Filling Station [gone] |
| Rudy's Barbeque [gone] Shawneetown, IL |
Shawnee Chief Motel Shawneetown, IL |
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Rudy's Barbeque started out as a sandwich shop in 1932. This porcelain panel sign is probably from the 1950s. It is about five feet tall. The restaurant closed in 2016 and was put up for sale in 2017. The owner would like the sign to go to a museum or collector but has not made a decision yet. When it was working, the sign was lit with red neon. Vandals kept throwing things at the sign and the owner gave up on repairing the tubing in recent years. Maintenance was too expensive and it was hard to find someone to work on it. The sign was removed in 2018. It went to a sign seller. For more, see this website.
The Shawnee Chief Motel opened in 1958. This sign appears to be from then. [map] |
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Skokie:
Charcoal Oven Crawford Church Shopping Center [gone] |
| Palmer's Beloit Nurseries [gone] South Beloit, IL |
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| Palmer's Beloit Nurseries was established in 1917. This sign was probably from the 1950s. When this photo was taken in 2012, it wasn't clear if the store was still open. The sign was gone by 2018. |
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More South Beloit:
Bean Shoe Service |
| Hi-Way Bakery South Chicago Heights, IL |
Sauk Trail Car Wash South Chicago Heights, IL |
Star Lite Motel South Holland, IL |
Prairie Materials [gone] South Holland, IL |
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The Hi-Way Bakery opened in 1938. It got its name from its location on the Dixie Highway. This sign was built in 1951 at a cost of $4,900 when the bakery moved to its current location. The owner refers to the sign's chef as "Miss Hi-Way." Supposedly, the person on the sign was modeled after the original owner's daughter. In 2019, the sign's neon was restored. [map]
The Sauk Trail Car Wash sign is probably from the 1960s or 1970s. [map] The Star Lite Motel sign appears to be from the 1950s. The star on top of the sign was gone by 2021. For more, see this website. [map] I believe this Prairie Materials location had been at this location since 1975. The sign was probably from around then. This photo is from 2008. By 2011, the company had moved and this sign was gone. |
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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. |