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North Dakota Signs (page 1)

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Chieftain Motel
Carrington, ND
The Chieftain Motel motel opened in 1964 and this sign appears to be from then. The original totem pole panels were replaced at some point. It also went by the name Chieftain Motor Lodge. The building now houses the Chieftain Conference Center. In addition to this sign and the totem poles, there is also a fiberglass Indian statue here. For more, see this website. [map]

Amoco
Carson, ND
Standard Oil
Devils Lake, ND
Ranch SteakHouse
Devils Lake, ND
This Amoco sign is installed at a former Amoco station. The gas station is closed now. This logo and sign design was used from 1971-2002. [map]

This Standard Oil sign is located a Black Magic Rod & Custom. It has been there since at least 2008. I believe these porcelain enamel panels signs with backlit glass globes were built in the 1940s. The panels on this sign have been painted. The backlit plastic torch on top of this sign is from the late 1950s or early 1960s. It would originally have been installed on a backlit plastic Standard Oil "As You Travel Ask Us" sign. [map]

This Ranch SteakHouse opened in 1946. This sign is probably from the 1950s or 1960s. [map]

More Carson:
cowboy sign [map]

Cooperstown:
Almklov's Pharmacy
Oasis [gone]

More Devils Lake:
City Center Motel [gone]

Dickinson:
Spur Bar & Lounge

Spirit Room
Fargo, ND
Bismarck Tavern
Fargo, ND
Records
Fargo, ND
The Spirit Room sign was adapted by Indigo Signs from the Broadway Hotel sign around 1997. The hotel no longer exists. For more, see this website. [map]

The Bismarck Tavern opened nearby as the Bismarck Liquor Store and Cafe around 1937. It moved to the current location around 1946. In 1955, the name was changed to the Bismarck Tavern. This sign may be from then. There is also another sign at the back entrance. [map]

This vintage Records sign has been installed in the window of Vinyl Giant Records since around 2019. I don't know where it came from. [map]

YMCA
Fargo, ND
Chub's Pub and Package Place
Fargo, ND
Pink Pussycat
Lounge
Fargo, ND
Roberts Alley
Fargo, ND
This YMCA was built from 1961-1962. There were two different, standard YMCA triangular-shaped signs installed there originally. Despite the sign's inclusion on the National Register of Historic Places in 2022 as representing "early 1960s design", I don't believe it was installed until much later. For more, see this website. [map]

Chub's Pub and Package Place opened in 1966. This sign appears to be from then. [map]

The Pink Pussycat Lounge opened in the 1960s. It closed in the 1980s and the signs were auctioned off. The cat-shaped projecting sign is about twenty feet tall. It is installed at a farm in Page, North Dakota. The two smaller signs which were part of the panel signs signs below are about six and half feet tall. Both of them went to private collections in Fargo. Jeff Thomas persuaded the owner of one of the signs to part with his so that he could display it at the soon-to-open bar and restaurant. He spent about $7,500 to restore the sign's neon. Frank's Lounge opened in 2015 and this sign is displayed inside. For more, see these websites: 1 and 2.

The Roberts Alley sign was built and installed in 2019. [map]

Hotel Donaldson
Fargo, ND
VFW Post
Fargo, ND
American Legion Club
Fargo, ND
Empire Tavern
Fargo, ND
The Hotel Donaldson was built in 1893. This replica sign was built when the hotel was renovated in 2003. For more, see these websites: 1 and 2. [map]

This VFW Post sign is modern. It probably replaced an earlier sign. [map]

The American Legion Club sign appears to be from the 1950s or 1960s. It has been updated with the addition of a digital message board. Around 2017, most of the sign had been painted over with blue paint. [map]

The Empire Tavern opened in 1936. This sign might be the original but it looks more 1940s to me. The bottom of the sign is covered with a plastic panel to protect the tubing from vandalism. There is also a sign on the side of the building which I missed shooting. For more, see this website. [map]

Fargo Linoleum
Fargo, ND
Mom's Diner
Fargo, ND
Fargo Linoleum opened in 1926 is one of the downtown Fargo's oldest businesses. I believe this sign is a replica from around 2017 of the one that was installed in 1952. It originally read "Carpet" at the bottom. For more, see this website. [map]

Mom's Diner opened in 1983 and this sign was probably built then. The business closed in 2020 but the sign remains. [map]

Taco Shop
University Dr. S.
Fargo, ND
Taco Shop
University Dr. N.
Fargo, ND
The Taco Shop was established in 1961. I believe the University Dr. S. opened soon after that. For more, see this website. [map]

The Taco Shop on University Dr. N. was the original location. This sign is probably from then. I don't know if it ever had neon. [map]

There is also a downtown location which opened in 2019 but it does not have a sign like this.

White Banner Uniform
Fargo, ND
2011: 2022:
White Banner Uniform opened in 1961 and this sign was installed then. The business moved in 2017. In 2022, the sign was adapted for Boss' Pizza & Chicken. [map]

Nodak [gone]
Fargo, ND
Metro Drug [gone]
Fargo, ND
Josef's School
of Hair Design [gone]
Fargo, ND
Steve's
Package Store [gone]
Fargo, ND
Berg
Auto Supply [gone]
Fargo, ND
The Nodak department store opened in 1945. These signs might have been from then or slightly later. This photo is from 2011. In 2013, after the store had closed, Karl's TV Audio and Appliance bought the building. These signs were removed by 2014.

The Metro Drug sign was probably built in the 1960s. This photo is from 2011. The store closed in 2015 and the sign was removed right after that.

Josef's School of Hair Design opened in 1949. This sign appeared to be from the 1950s or 1960s. The sign was removed in 2020. For more, see this website.

The Steve's Package Store sign appeared to be an adapted sign from the 1950s. It was removed around 2020.

Berg Auto Supply opened in 1946 as Berg Fargo Motor Supply. When the business moved downtown in 2002, this sign was brought along. It was refurbished at that time and the lettering was changed to reflect the new name. The sign was still there in 2018 but gone by 2019. It was replaced with a plastic box sign for Sturdevant's Auto Supply.

More Fargo:
Midwest Collision Center
Rick's Bar
Round Up Lounge [vintage; gone]
Wimmer's Diamonds [vintage; gone]

Town Hall Bar
West Fargo, ND
M&J Brand Saloon
West Fargo, ND
Westgo Square
West Fargo, ND
Sunset Motel [gone]
West Fargo, ND
The Town Hall Bar sign is probably from the 1950s. For more, see this website. [map]

The M&J Brand Saloon sign may have been redone at some point. The business was originally known as the M&J Brand Steak House. The star on top of the sign is probably from the 1960s. For more, see this website. [map]

Westgo Square is used for retail and office space. It was built in 1953 and expanded in 1963. I suspect this sign is from the latter date. [map]

The Sunset Motel sign was probably from the 1950s or 1960s. When this photo was taken in 2011, it appeared to have been recently refurbished or might have been a replica sign. Around 2012, the motel became a Rodeway Inn and the sign was either destroyed or removed. For more, see this website.

Grafton:
Kutz & O'Brien Plumbing & Heating

North Dakota
(page 2)
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