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Illinois Signs (page 12)

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Odd Fellows Temple
Salem, IL
Continental Motel
Salem, IL
Lakewood Motel
Salem, IL
Restwell Motel [gone]
Salem, IL
This Odd Fellows Temple sign is very similar to the one in Flora, IL. Both are probably from the 1950s. I don't know of any others like this. Between 2012 and 2015, this sign had been removed. It was apparently restored during that time. [map]

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]

Larimer Abstract
Salem, IL
Larimer Abstract was established in 1879. It moved to this location in 1935. The business closed in 2023 but this sign remains. It is probably from the 1950s. [map]

Radke Hotel [gone]
Savanna, IL
Col. Wes Chapman Auctioneer Service [gone]
Seneca, IL
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.

More Savanna:
Filling Station [gone]

Rudy's Barbeque [gone]
Shawneetown, IL
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.

Shawnee Chief Motel
Shawneetown, IL
2010: 2024:
The Shawnee Chief Motel opened in 1958. This sign appears to be from then. The neon has been broken since at least 2013. [map]

Skokie:
Charcoal Oven
Crawford Church Shopping Center [gone]

Palmer's
Beloit Nurseries [gone]
South Beloit, IL
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.

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
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.

Ace Sign Co.
Springfield, IL
The Ace Sign Co. was established in 1940. These photos were taken of the shop's mini sign museum in 2009. The sign company has moved and now has more room to display its collection.

More Springfield:
Bel Aire Motel [gone]
Dellert's Paint Company
Henry Nelch & Son Co. [gone]
King Pin Lanes
Lorial Lounge [gone]
Mel-O-Cream Donuts
Pioneer Motel [map]
Saputo's [map]
Shamrock Court [gone]
Sonrise Donuts
Spillway Lanes [gone]

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