email: roadarch@outlook.com

Illinois Signs (page 13)

(hit "refresh" to get the most recent version of this page; click on photos for larger images)

Zimmerman Ford [gone]
St. Charles, IL
Stanley Cour-Tel [gone]
Staunton, IL
Zimmerman Ford was established in 1931. The dealership's sign was built in 1964. It was originally installed on a revolving base. Around 2018, the business became Hawk Ford. The sign remained but the neon letters for "Zimmerman" were removed and "Hawk" was painted on the panels. The Ford sign was located behind the dealership. It is gone now. Around 2021, the giant Zimmerman pole sign was also removed. For more, see these websites: 1 and 2.

The Stanley Cour-Tel was located in Bridgeton, MO. These signs were saved in 2003 and installed at Henry's Rabbit Ranch. In 2019, the signs were removed. They are being restored at Signcrafters in St. Louis and will be displayed at the Route 66 Neon Sign Park in St. Robert, MO which will open in 2025. For more, see this website.

Elks Lodge
Streator, IL
Lewis Cut Rate Drug Store
Taylorville, IL
This Elks Lodge sign appears to be from the 1940s or 1950s. [map]

The Lewis Cut Rate Drug Store was located here by 1938. This sign might be from around then or the 1940s/1950s. It was probably installed above the first floor originally. [map]

More Streator:
Bowl-Mor Lanes

More Taylorville:
Rene's Drugs

Capponi's
Italian Foods
Toluca, IL
Mona's Italian Foods
Toluca, IL
Trenton House Restaurant
Toluca, IL
Capponi's Italian Foods opened in 1934. This sign was built in the early 1950s. For more, see this website. [map]

Mona's Italian Foods opened in 1933. This sign was built around 1954 in response to the new sign that the nearby competition, Capponi's, had installed. The chef's spoon is sequentially animated. Mona's and Capponi's are just down the street from each other. Once competitors, both restaurants have been owned by the Bernardi family since 1965. During the week, the restaurants are opened on alternate nights. They are both open on weekends. For more, see this website. [map]

The Trenton House Restaurant was established in 1890. This sign is probably from the 1950s. For more, see this website. [map]

Trenton:
Jim's Mens and Boys Shop [map]

Masonic Temple [gone]
Tuscola, IL
Cooper Motel [gone]
Tuscola, IL
This Masonic Temple sign was probably from the 1950s. "A.F. & A.M." refers to Ancient Free and Accepted Masons. This photo is from 2009. By 2012, the sign had been replaced with a plastic version.

The Cooper Motel sign was probably built in the 1950s. The sign originally had a man in a car beneath the text panel. These photos are from 2009. By 2012, this motel replaced this sign with plastic box sign. However, this neon sign was saved and moved across the street to Cooper Motors. But by 2015, the sign was gone. For more, see these websites: 1 and 2.

Illinois Railway Museum
Union, IL
The Illinois Railway Museum has a huge collection of trains and related items. All of these neon signs have been restored and are operable. The Santa Fe sign in the bottom row above came from Chicago. It was a recent acquisition when these photos were taken in 2012. It was restored and relit in 2016. For more, see these websites: 1, 2, and 3.

Courtesy Motel
Urbana, IL
Jane Isbell Jewelry [gone]
Vandalia, IL
The Courtesy Motel opened around 1955 and this sign appears to be from then. For more, see this website. [map]

The Jane Isbell Jewelry sign was probably from the 1950s. The jewelry store was gone and the space was occupied by Lulu's Stuff N Such when this photo was taken in 2010. The owner of the building planned to sell the sign. However, it was still there in 2013. In 2016, the store was vacant and the sign remained. The sign was gone by 2018.

More Urbana:
Blossom Basket
Brownie's Market [gone]

Veach's Truck Stop [gone]
Vienna, IL
V.F.W.
Villa Grove, IL
Brer Rabbit
Motel [gone]
Villa Park, IL
These photos of Veach's Truck Stop signs were taken in 2006. The plastic signs were adapted Gulf gas signs. Even the same colors were kept. The neon sign was installed on the side of the gas station. By 2008, the truck stop and the signs were gone. I'm told that the neon sign is now in a private collection. Veach Oil was founded in 1925. The company's headquarters was in Vienna, IL and there were many Veach gas stations in Illinois. I believe the company is defunct now and I would assume that the stations have closed now, too.

This V.F.W. sign is probably from the 1950s.

The Brer Rabbit Motel featured this nearly fully-functioning old neon sign. This sign was replaced with a plastic box sign around 2008. The original is now owned by a private collector in Indiana. [night photo thanks Glenda Campbell]

J's Peter Pan Cleaners [gone]
Villa Park, IL
It looks like the "J's" of J's Peter Pan Cleaners was a later addition. The business closed and the sign was removed in 2019.

More Villa Park:
Al's Smoke Shop [gone]
Hi-View Restaurant

Wataga:
Rib Shack

IL (page 1) IL (page 2) IL (page 3) IL (page 4) IL (page 5)
IL (page 6) IL (page 7) IL (page 8) IL (page 9) IL (page 10) IL (page 11) IL (page 12) IL (page 14)
Chicago (page 1) Chicago (page 2) Chicago (page 3) Chicago (page 4)

Main Signs Page