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Ariston Cafe
Litchfield, IL2010: |
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The Ariston Cafe is located right across the street from the former Vic Suhling station described above. The Ariston Cafe opened in 1924 and moved to this location in 1935. These signs were installed at that time. In 2019, the signs were restored by David Hutson of Neon Time with a matching grant from the National Parks Service Route 66 Corridor Preservation Program. The Budweiser sign may be the oldest and only sign of this type still on public display. It was produced by Claude Neon Federal and features white glass inserts at the top with the Anheuser-Busch logo in fused paint. The Ariston Cafe sign below was restored to its original paint job with dots around the border. During this restoration, the interior neon window borders which had been missing since the mid-1970s were also restored. The third photo above shows the sign on the other side of the building. I don't know when it was installed. It may have been restored at the same time. For more, see these websites: 1, 2, and 3. [map]
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Vic Suhling Gas for Less
Litchfield, IL |
Moose Lodge
Lockport, IL |
Highland Manor Motel
Lombard, IL |
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The Vic Suhling Gas for Less was part of a local chain of four gas stations. It is believed that only one sign was built like this. It was built in 1957 and measures 12 foot wide and tall. The station closed in 1973 and the building was demolished in 1990. The sign continued to stand on the vacant lot. In 2012, the Litchfield Museum & Route 66 Welcome Center was built there. The museum and the Route 66 Corridor Preservation Program split the bill for the sign's $22,550 restoration in 2013. The sign features 75 chasing bulbs on each side. For more, see this website. [map]
This Moose Lodge was built in 1954 and this sign is probably from then. The neon tubing was replaced with LED rope between 2013 and 2018. [map]
The Highland Manor Motel was built in 1958 and this sign appears to be from then. [map]
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Rocky's Loves Park Tap
Loves Park, IL |
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Rocky's Loves Park Tap was established in 1933. It is now known as Rocky's Bar & Grill. This sign might be from the 1940s or 1950s. [map]
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House of Bottles
Loves Park, IL |
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House of Bottles
Belvidere, IL |
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The House of Bottles pole sign in Loves Park probably had the same neon popping cork like the sign in Belvidere. The Loves Park location may have opened by 1956. It was known as the Flo-Real House of Bottles then and these signs were not there then. The Belvidere location opened in 1963. These signs appear to be from the 1950s or 1960s. The Marengo location may have had a sign like these, too. There is a plastic sign there now. There may have been other locations. I believe these are the only two locations with neon signs. For more, see this website. [Loves Park map]; [Belvidere map]
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Masonic Temple
Macomb, IL |
Ford Hopkins Drug Store
Macomb, IL |
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This Masonic Temple sign is probably from the 1950s. [map]
The Ford Hopkins Drug Store chain was established by 1928 and this location opened in 1930. At some point, there was a blue a navy neon Rexall sign installed above this one. There were about 300 locations in Illinois, Iowa, Indiana, Minnesota, and Wisconsin. I believe they all had lunch counters and the store's slogan was "Famous for Good Things to Eat." This sign is probably from the 1950s. There may have been others like this but, if so, they seem to all be gone now. The porcelain enamel panels have embossed letters and neon. The store closed in 2011. I believe it was the last operating location. The building has housed other businesses but the sign remains. For more, see these websites: 1 and 2. [map]
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Purdum Electric
Macomb, IL |
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Purdum Electric was established in 1908 and moved to this location in 1912. The original sign was brown and installed in 1952. This replica with red panels was installed around 2014. There is also a ghost billboard style sign behind the building. For more, see this website. [map]
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Monroe Cleaners
Marion, IL |
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Monroe Cleaners opened in 1924. The business moved to this location in 1950 and this sign is probably from then. For more, see this website. [map]
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