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email: roadarch@outlook.com |
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| Chicago Signs (page 3) |
(hit "refresh" to get the most recent version of this page; click on photos for larger images)
| Esquire Motel Chicago, IL |
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| The Esquire Motel was built in 1959 and these signs appears to be from then. In 2009, the sign still had neon letters for "Television", "Switchboard," and "air conditioned" beneath "MOTEL." Around 2017, the pole sign's neon was replaced with backlit plastic letters. For more, see these websites: 1 and 2. [map] |
| Stop & Drink Liquor House Chicago, IL |
Central Camera Chicago, IL |
Wrigley Field Chicago, IL |
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The Stop & Drink Liquor House sign hangs above the now-named Clark Street Ale House. The sign is probably from the 1950s. For more, see this website. [map]
Central Camera was founded in Chicago in 1899. It moved here in 1929. The sign was installed in 1931. The store was set on fire in 2020 during rioters. The sign was not damaged. For more, see these websites: 1 and 2. [map] The Chicago Cubs have played baseball at Wrigley Field since 1916. This sign hangs above the entrance. It was installed in 1934 and was originally painted blue. It was painted red in the 1960s. I don't know when the LED message board section was added to the sign. This photo is from 2012. The sign was restored in 2016. For more, see this website. [map] |
| Redwood Lounge Chicago, IL |
Berghoff Restaurant Chicago, IL |
Athenian Candle Co. Chicago, IL |
Golden Apple Restaurant Chicago, IL |
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The Redwood Lounge has been closed since 2009 but these signs remain. The plastic sign might be from the 1960s. The stainless steel letters might be older. [map]
The Berghoff Restaurant opened as the Berghoff Cafe in 1898 and closed in 2006 when the owners decided to retire. The owner's daughter reopened the bar as the "17/West at the Berghoff" and converted the main dining room into a private banquet hall called "The Century Room." The huge sign remains in place. For more, see these websites: 1 and 2. [map] The Athenian Candle Co. was established in 1922. The store continues to produce religious candles and also sells statues, rosaries, prayer cards, crucifixes, books, and other items. The business moved to this location in 1961. The sign might be from then or, possibly, it was built in the 1950s and moved here when the store relocated. [map] The Golden Apple Restaurant was originally a Golden Nugget Restaurant. The bulbs at the top of the sign represent a gold nugget. This was part of the Golden Nugget Pancake House chain which was established in 1966. There are still seven locations in Chicago. For more, see these websites: 1 and 2. [map] |
| Tasemkin Furniture Chicago, IL |
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| Tasemkin Furniture has been gone for decades. This massive sign once had neon and chasing bulbs. It appears to be from the 1950s. By 2013, only the panels on the far right remained. For more, see this website. [map] |
| Rainbo Club Chicago, IL |
Friends of Friends Chicago, IL |
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The Rainbo Club opened in 1935 and this sign is from then. The sign has been protected behind plexiglass since at least 2007. [map]
Friends of Friends opened in 2025 and this sign was installed then. For more, see this website. [map] |
| Schlitz Chicago, IL |
former Schlitz taverns Chicago, IL |
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This Schlitz sign was previously located at Danny's Tavern on W. Dickens Ave. Danny's operated from 1986-2020 but this sign was there before that. These signs were mass-produced, probably in the 1950s, but very few of them are left now. It was installed at the Friend of Friends bar (see above) in 2025. This location was a former Schlitz tavern and has the globe logo relief on the side of the building. [map]
These former Schlitz taverns feature globe logo reliefs on the buildings' facades. Originally, only Schlitz beer could be sold at these "brewery-tied houses". Schlitz built 57 of these buildings between 1897 and 1905. For more, see this website. [first sign map]; [second sign map] |
| Lotus Chop Suey Chicago, IL |
Paragon Auto Leasing Chicago, IL |
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Lotus Chop Suey was established around 1923. These signs are probably from the 1950s. Around 2014, the facade sign was covered up. [map]
Paragon Auto Leasing was established in 1960. I don't know if this sign was built then or if it was updated from a previous company. Around 2015, the two middle text panels were replaced. Around 2025, the circular panel and bottom of the arrow were removed. [map] |
| Martin Muffler Chicago, IL |
Travis Realty Company Chicago, IL |
Chicago Auto Insurance Chicago, IL |
CVS Pharmacy Chicago, IL |
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The Martin Muffler sign is probably from the 1950s or 1960s. [map]
I believe the Travis Realty Company rooftop sign was built in 1961. One side reads "Travis Realty", the other "Sivart Mortgage Company." Sivart is Travis spelled backwards. Both companies were owned by Dempsey J. Travis. It appears that both the top and lower panels with time and temperature revolved. [map] This Chicago Auto Insurance sign originally advertised for a restaurant. Does anyone know what the name was? This photo is from 2006. By 2012, the sign had been repainted blue and yellow. [map] This CVS Pharmacy adapted the sign of the former Golden Flame restaurant. It was probably built in the 1950s or 1960s. [map] |
| Gold Star Bar Chicago, IL |
Smakowski Bakery Chicago, IL |
Harold's Chicken Shack Chicago, IL |
Mississippi Fish House Chicago, IL |
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The Gold Star Bar opened around 1938. This sign is probably from the 1950s. For more, see this website. [map]
The Smakowski Bakery was originally known as the "Village Bake Shop." It had opened by 1947 and this sign is probably from then. The sign was altered around 2006 to reflect the new name. The white box above the "Deli" panel originally had a clock which probably revolved. The "Deli" and "Piekarnia" originally spelled out in neon: "Pastries" and "Restaurant". The bakery closed around 2018 but this sign remains. For more, see this website. [map] The Harold's Chicken Shack chain was established in 1950 and had nearly 100 locations around town at its peak. There were at least a few neon window versions of this man-chasing-chicken sign produced. There are still quite a few plastic signs left. This location closed around 2019 but the sign remains. For more, see these websites: 1, 2, 3, 4, and 5. [map] The Mississippi Fish House has been closed for many years. This sign is probably from the 1960s. [map] |
| Rainbow Motel Chicago, IL |
Club Lucky Chicago, IL |
Milshire Hotel Chicago, IL |
Blinds & More Chicago, IL |
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The Rainbow Motel was built in 1954 and this sign is probably from then. For more, see this website. [map]
The Club Lucky bar opened in 1937 and this sign might be from then. It became an Italian restaurant in 1990 but kept the name and sign. For more, see this website. [map] The Milshire Hotel sign is believed to be from the 1940s. In 2022, the sign was put up for sale but the owner decided to leave the sign due to community pressure. For more, see these websites: 1 and 2. [map] The Blinds & More sign appears to be from the 1940s or 1950s. [map] |
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Lost Chicago page 1 |
Lost Chicago page 2 |
| Illinois | Main Signs Page |
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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. |