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Fresno Signs (page 4)

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CNI Signmakers
Fresno, CA
This collection of vintage signs is located at CNI Signmakers. There are dozens of local signs inside the shop and in the lot outside. Among them are signs from Angelo's Drive-in and a couple of Foster's Freeze signs. There also some signs from outside Fresno, including signs from the El Capitan Hotel in Merced, CA. For more, see these websites: 1, 2, 3, and 4. [map]

Big Fresno Fair
Fresno, CA
2013 and 2014:
2019 and 2020 and 2023:
2013: 2018:
All of the signs at the Big Fresno Fair came from local businesses. [map]

The Hacienda Motel was owned by the Hacienda Hotel Casino in Las Vegas, NV which also had locations in Bakersfield, CA and Indio, CA. I believe all of these motels were built in the 1950s. The Las Vegas and Bakersfield Hacienda Motels also had this same style horse and rider sign. The Las Vegas sign was built in 1967. Therefore, these signs were probably built at or around that time. The motel closed around 1973. At some point the signs were moved to the Mendes General Store which sells Western clothing. The 2013 and 2014 photos were taken there. In 2016, the signs in Fresno were removed from the Mendes store. They were restored and installed at the Big Fresno Fair. For more, see these websites: 1, 2, 3, and 4.

The Fresno Motel sign was built in the 1950s. In 2016, the sign was removed. The sign was recreated by A-1 Signs. For more, see this website.

The Mars Drive-in restaurant opened in 1947 and this sign is from then.

The Drugs sign came from Winton's Vista Pharmacy which opened in 1932 and closed in 2018. The sign appears to be from the 1940s or 1950s.

The plastic sign was originally located at a LesterBurger in Fresno. The chain was established in 1960 and this sign is probably from around then. For more, see this website.

I believe the revolving Hallowell Chevrolet sign is from the 1970s.

The Louie Kee Market opened in Fresno in 1923. The store moved a couple of times after that. The sign is probably from the 1950s. The store closed and the sign was removed in 2016. In 2017, after it was restored, it was installed at the Big Fresno Fair. For more, see this website.

Lily's Beauty Salon was open by 1952. This sign is probably from around then.

The El Patio Club sign appears to be from the 1950s or 1960s. For more, see this website.

The Paul's Cleaners was in business from 1930 to 1981. This sign is believed to be from the late 1940s.

The DiCicco's Pizzeria was originally installed at a shopping center in town. I don't know how old it is but it was modeled after the original sign that probably dates to 1956.

Evans Electric Service was established in 1928. This sign appears to be from the 1940s or 1950s.

The Fresno Beer sign is supposedly from 1903. The painted lettering behind the channel letters indicates that the metal letters were added later. I don't know if the sign had bulbs originally or if it was simply a painted, unlighted sign.

I don't know where the Foster's Freeze sign came from but there are many others still on display in California at operating locations.

The Dan Day Pontiac sign came from a local dealership. These checkmark signs were mass-produced for Pontiac "Goodwill" used car dealers.

The Fat Jack's drive-in restaurant sign must have come from the original Fresno location. I don't know when it opened or closed. A second location opened in Clovis in 1993 but closed in 2020. That building now houses Bob's Good Burger.

More Fresno:
Ashlan Park Shopping Center
Candy Motel [vintage; gone]
Cedar Lanes
Eagle Cafe
Gas [gone]
International Motor Sales
Jensen & Pilegard
Lou Gentile's Flower Basket
Paradise Center
Ranch-O-Tel [vintage; gone]
Vagabond Motor Hotel [gone]
various theatres
Welcome sign

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