ohai.social

Bill SwislowHere’s an old picture of the Philadelphia Church on Clark Street in Chicago’s Andersonville. Only part of the neon is currently working, though Jesus Saves still shines.<a href="https://mastodon.social/tags/roadsideart" class="mention hashtag" rel="nofollow noopener" target="_blank">#roadsideart</a> <a href="https://mastodon.social/tags/vernacularart" class="mention hashtag" rel="nofollow noopener" target="_blank">#vernacularart</a> <a href="https://mastodon.social/tags/sca_roadside" class="mention hashtag" rel="nofollow noopener" target="_blank">#sca_roadside</a> <a href="https://mastodon.social/tags/signage" class="mention hashtag" rel="nofollow noopener" target="_blank">#signage</a> <a href="https://mastodon.social/tags/signlovers" class="mention hashtag" rel="nofollow noopener" target="_blank">#signlovers</a> <a href="https://mastodon.social/tags/vintageneon" class="mention hashtag" rel="nofollow noopener" target="_blank">#vintageneon</a> <a href="https://mastodon.social/tags/neonsigns" class="mention hashtag" rel="nofollow noopener" target="_blank">#neonsigns</a>

Bill SwislowSands Caravan Inn, Bakersfield, California. It was a hopping place, and check out that mural behind the bar. A motel no longer.<a href="https://mastodon.social/tags/vintagemotel" class="mention hashtag" rel="nofollow noopener" target="_blank">#vintagemotel</a> <a href="https://mastodon.social/tags/motel" class="mention hashtag" rel="nofollow noopener" target="_blank">#motel</a> <a href="https://mastodon.social/tags/vintagepostcard" class="mention hashtag" rel="nofollow noopener" target="_blank">#vintagepostcard</a> <a href="https://mastodon.social/tags/roadsideart" class="mention hashtag" rel="nofollow noopener" target="_blank">#roadsideart</a> <a href="https://mastodon.social/tags/sca_roadside" class="mention hashtag" rel="nofollow noopener" target="_blank">#sca_roadside</a>

Bill SwislowAction-packed photo was created and briefly thrived, bringing life to Pena's Automotive, 47th Street near Knox. Now a white fence. 1997 photo.<a href="https://mastodon.social/tags/roadsideart" class="mention hashtag" rel="nofollow noopener" target="_blank">#roadsideart</a> <a href="https://mastodon.social/tags/vernacularart" class="mention hashtag" rel="nofollow noopener" target="_blank">#vernacularart</a> <a href="https://mastodon.social/tags/sca_roadside" class="mention hashtag" rel="nofollow noopener" target="_blank">#sca_roadside</a> <a href="https://mastodon.social/tags/signage" class="mention hashtag" rel="nofollow noopener" target="_blank">#signage</a> <a href="https://mastodon.social/tags/signlovers" class="mention hashtag" rel="nofollow noopener" target="_blank">#signlovers</a>

Bill SwislowGoodi's, Milwaukee Avenue at Golf, Niles, Illinois. The gyros cone was later replaced with a photo of a gyros sandwichYou can see hundreds more gyros signs at gyrosproject.com. <a href="https://mastodon.social/tags/gyrosproject" class="mention hashtag" rel="nofollow noopener" target="_blank">#gyrosproject</a> <a href="https://mastodon.social/tags/gyros" class="mention hashtag" rel="nofollow noopener" target="_blank">#gyros</a> <a href="https://mastodon.social/tags/streetfood" class="mention hashtag" rel="nofollow noopener" target="_blank">#streetfood</a> <a href="https://mastodon.social/tags/roadsideart" class="mention hashtag" rel="nofollow noopener" target="_blank">#roadsideart</a> <a href="https://mastodon.social/tags/vernacularart" class="mention hashtag" rel="nofollow noopener" target="_blank">#vernacularart</a> <a href="https://mastodon.social/tags/SCA" class="mention hashtag" rel="nofollow noopener" target="_blank">#SCA</a>-roadside <a href="https://mastodon.social/tags/signage" class="mention hashtag" rel="nofollow noopener" target="_blank">#signage</a> <a href="https://mastodon.social/tags/signlovers" class="mention hashtag" rel="nofollow noopener" target="_blank">#signlovers</a>

Bill SwislowSan Quinton Motel, Dalton, Georgia. Mr. and Mrs. L.B. Quinton, Owners-Managers. Hey, we can make our motel sound like a famous prison!<a href="https://mastodon.social/tags/vintagemotel" class="mention hashtag" rel="nofollow noopener" target="_blank">#vintagemotel</a> <a href="https://mastodon.social/tags/motel" class="mention hashtag" rel="nofollow noopener" target="_blank">#motel</a> <a href="https://mastodon.social/tags/vintagepostcard" class="mention hashtag" rel="nofollow noopener" target="_blank">#vintagepostcard</a> <a href="https://mastodon.social/tags/roadsideart" class="mention hashtag" rel="nofollow noopener" target="_blank">#roadsideart</a> <a href="https://mastodon.social/tags/sca_roadside" class="mention hashtag" rel="nofollow noopener" target="_blank">#sca_roadside</a> <a href="https://mastodon.social/tags/motelsigns" class="mention hashtag" rel="nofollow noopener" target="_blank">#motelsigns</a> <a href="https://mastodon.social/tags/signage" class="mention hashtag" rel="nofollow noopener" target="_blank">#signage</a> <a href="https://mastodon.social/tags/signlovers" class="mention hashtag" rel="nofollow noopener" target="_blank">#signlovers</a>

Bill SwislowI was impressed with the Halal Guys cart when I first saw one in Manhattan in the twenty-teens. Their logo gave fair attention to both the cone and the equipment around it. The logo became a bit more refined as they expanded around the country, including to Chicago and New Orleans locations seen here. You can see hundreds more gyros signs at gyrosproject.com. <a href="https://mastodon.social/tags/gyrosproject" class="mention hashtag" rel="nofollow noopener" target="_blank">#gyrosproject</a> <a href="https://mastodon.social/tags/gyros" class="mention hashtag" rel="nofollow noopener" target="_blank">#gyros</a> <a href="https://mastodon.social/tags/streetfood" class="mention hashtag" rel="nofollow noopener" target="_blank">#streetfood</a> <a href="https://mastodon.social/tags/roadsideart" class="mention hashtag" rel="nofollow noopener" target="_blank">#roadsideart</a> <a href="https://mastodon.social/tags/vernacularart" class="mention hashtag" rel="nofollow noopener" target="_blank">#vernacularart</a> <a href="https://mastodon.social/tags/SCA" class="mention hashtag" rel="nofollow noopener" target="_blank">#SCA</a>-roadside <a href="https://mastodon.social/tags/signage" class="mention hashtag" rel="nofollow noopener" target="_blank">#signage</a> <a href="https://mastodon.social/tags/signlovers" class="mention hashtag" rel="nofollow noopener" target="_blank">#signlovers</a>

Bill SwislowInterstate Lanes, Portland, Oregon. Gone  <a href="https://mastodon.social/tags/roadsideart" class="mention hashtag" rel="nofollow noopener" target="_blank">#roadsideart</a> <a href="https://mastodon.social/tags/bowlingalley" class="mention hashtag" rel="nofollow noopener" target="_blank">#bowlingalley</a>

Bill SwislowThree fine Mexico City manhole covers. The third is from the vicinity of the Chapultepec Zoo.  <a href="https://mastodon.social/tags/manhole" class="mention hashtag" rel="nofollow noopener" target="_blank">#manhole</a> <a href="https://mastodon.social/tags/manholecover" class="mention hashtag" rel="nofollow noopener" target="_blank">#manholecover</a> <a href="https://mastodon.social/tags/roadsideart" class="mention hashtag" rel="nofollow noopener" target="_blank">#roadsideart</a>

Bill SwislowMotel magnificence: Regina Motor Lodge, On U.S. 11 and 460, Salem, Virginia. L.T. & Elizabeth R. Clark, Owners. (Queen of Motels).<a href="https://mastodon.social/tags/vintagemotel" class="mention hashtag" rel="nofollow noopener" target="_blank">#vintagemotel</a> <a href="https://mastodon.social/tags/motel" class="mention hashtag" rel="nofollow noopener" target="_blank">#motel</a> <a href="https://mastodon.social/tags/vintagepostcard" class="mention hashtag" rel="nofollow noopener" target="_blank">#vintagepostcard</a> <a href="https://mastodon.social/tags/roadsideart" class="mention hashtag" rel="nofollow noopener" target="_blank">#roadsideart</a> <a href="https://mastodon.social/tags/sca_roadside" class="mention hashtag" rel="nofollow noopener" target="_blank">#sca_roadside</a> <a href="https://mastodon.social/tags/motelsigns" class="mention hashtag" rel="nofollow noopener" target="_blank">#motelsigns</a>

Bill SwislowI only photographed the entrance to the Centralia, Illinois, Sentinel's building, but what an art deco masterpiece! Its inspirational text, "Here shall the Press the people's rights maintain, unawed by influence, unbribed by gain," seems to have originated with the Salem Register in 1802. But it proved a popular motto with many other newspapers across the country. Photo circa 1990.<a href="https://mastodon.social/tags/roadsideart" class="mention hashtag" rel="nofollow noopener" target="_blank">#roadsideart</a> <a href="https://mastodon.social/tags/artdeco" class="mention hashtag" rel="nofollow noopener" target="_blank">#artdeco</a>

Bill SwislowSharon’s Food with a NEW attitude. Formerly TJ's. Somewhere in Chicago, 1996.<a href="https://mastodon.social/tags/roadsideart" class="mention hashtag" rel="nofollow noopener" target="_blank">#roadsideart</a> <a href="https://mastodon.social/tags/vernacularart" class="mention hashtag" rel="nofollow noopener" target="_blank">#vernacularart</a> <a href="https://mastodon.social/tags/sca_roadside" class="mention hashtag" rel="nofollow noopener" target="_blank">#sca_roadside</a> <a href="https://mastodon.social/tags/signage" class="mention hashtag" rel="nofollow noopener" target="_blank">#signage</a> <a href="https://mastodon.social/tags/signlovers" class="mention hashtag" rel="nofollow noopener" target="_blank">#signlovers</a> <a href="https://mastodon.social/tags/roadfood" class="mention hashtag" rel="nofollow noopener" target="_blank">#roadfood</a>

Bill SwislowLittle Mel and Niko had the same idea, or at least the same sign catalog. Little Mel's Place, at Clark near Winnemac, is long gone. Niko’s, at Western Avenue and Diversey, lasted a lot longer, going through more sign iterations as well as an extra k, before disappearing about 10 years ago. You can see hundreds more gyros signs at <a href="http://gyrosproject.com" rel="nofollow noopener" translate="no" target="_blank">http://gyrosproject.com</a>. <a href="https://mastodon.social/tags/gyrosproject" class="mention hashtag" rel="nofollow noopener" target="_blank">#gyrosproject</a> <a href="https://mastodon.social/tags/gyros" class="mention hashtag" rel="nofollow noopener" target="_blank">#gyros</a> <a href="https://mastodon.social/tags/streetfood" class="mention hashtag" rel="nofollow noopener" target="_blank">#streetfood</a> <a href="https://mastodon.social/tags/roadsideart" class="mention hashtag" rel="nofollow noopener" target="_blank">#roadsideart</a> <a href="https://mastodon.social/tags/vernacularart" class="mention hashtag" rel="nofollow noopener" target="_blank">#vernacularart</a> <a href="https://mastodon.social/tags/SCA" class="mention hashtag" rel="nofollow noopener" target="_blank">#SCA</a>-roadside <a href="https://mastodon.social/tags/signage" class="mention hashtag" rel="nofollow noopener" target="_blank">#signage</a> <a href="https://mastodon.social/tags/signlovers" class="mention hashtag" rel="nofollow noopener" target="_blank">#signlovers</a>

Bill SwislowSample some of the incredible artwork that once lined the Montrose strip in Chicago. See more examples at <a href="https://www.interestingideas.com/the-montrose-strip/" rel="nofollow noopener" translate="no" target="_blank">https://www.interestingideas.com/the-montrose-strip/</a>.<a href="https://mastodon.social/tags/roadsideart" class="mention hashtag" rel="nofollow noopener" target="_blank">#roadsideart</a> <a href="https://mastodon.social/tags/vernacularart" class="mention hashtag" rel="nofollow noopener" target="_blank">#vernacularart</a> <a href="https://mastodon.social/tags/sca_roadside" class="mention hashtag" rel="nofollow noopener" target="_blank">#sca_roadside</a> <a href="https://mastodon.social/tags/signage" class="mention hashtag" rel="nofollow noopener" target="_blank">#signage</a> <a href="https://mastodon.social/tags/signlovers" class="mention hashtag" rel="nofollow noopener" target="_blank">#signlovers</a>

Bill SwislowDead gas station on the Berlin Pike near Hartford, Connecticut. 1985 photo.<a href="https://mastodon.social/tags/roadsideart" class="mention hashtag" rel="nofollow noopener" target="_blank">#roadsideart</a> <a href="https://mastodon.social/tags/vernacularart" class="mention hashtag" rel="nofollow noopener" target="_blank">#vernacularart</a> <a href="https://mastodon.social/tags/sca_roadside" class="mention hashtag" rel="nofollow noopener" target="_blank">#sca_roadside</a>

Bill SwislowSome poorly lit luxury at the Quality Inn Governor, Route 50, Falls Church, Virginia. Now the Governor House Inn.<a href="https://mastodon.social/tags/vintagemotel" class="mention hashtag" rel="nofollow noopener" target="_blank">#vintagemotel</a> <a href="https://mastodon.social/tags/motel" class="mention hashtag" rel="nofollow noopener" target="_blank">#motel</a> <a href="https://mastodon.social/tags/vintagepostcard" class="mention hashtag" rel="nofollow noopener" target="_blank">#vintagepostcard</a> <a href="https://mastodon.social/tags/roadsideart" class="mention hashtag" rel="nofollow noopener" target="_blank">#roadsideart</a> <a href="https://mastodon.social/tags/sca_roadside" class="mention hashtag" rel="nofollow noopener" target="_blank">#sca_roadside</a> <a href="https://mastodon.social/tags/motelsigns" class="mention hashtag" rel="nofollow noopener" target="_blank">#motelsigns</a> <a href="https://mastodon.social/tags/signage" class="mention hashtag" rel="nofollow noopener" target="_blank">#signage</a> <a href="https://mastodon.social/tags/signlovers" class="mention hashtag" rel="nofollow noopener" target="_blank">#signlovers</a>

Bill SwislowSome poorly lit luxury at the Quality Inn Governor, Route 50, Falls Church, Virginia. Now the Governor House Inn. Note: For those of you fleeing Meta, I’m now on Mastadon and Pixelfed as <a class="u-url mention" href="https://pixelfed.social/bilsw" rel="nofollow noopener" target="_blank">@bilsw</a> <a href="https://pixelfed.social/discover/tags/vintagemotel?src=hash" class="u-url hashtag" rel="nofollow noopener" target="_blank">#vintagemotel</a> <a href="https://pixelfed.social/discover/tags/motel?src=hash" class="u-url hashtag" rel="nofollow noopener" target="_blank">#motel</a> <a href="https://pixelfed.social/discover/tags/vintagepostcard?src=hash" class="u-url hashtag" rel="nofollow noopener" target="_blank">#vintagepostcard</a> <a href="https://pixelfed.social/discover/tags/roadsideart?src=hash" class="u-url hashtag" rel="nofollow noopener" target="_blank">#roadsideart</a> <a href="https://pixelfed.social/discover/tags/sca_roadside?src=hash" class="u-url hashtag" rel="nofollow noopener" target="_blank">#sca_roadside</a> <a href="https://pixelfed.social/discover/tags/motelsigns?src=hash" class="u-url hashtag" rel="nofollow noopener" target="_blank">#motelsigns</a> <a href="https://pixelfed.social/discover/tags/signage?src=hash" class="u-url hashtag" rel="nofollow noopener" target="_blank">#signage</a> <a href="https://pixelfed.social/discover/tags/signlovers?src=hash" class="u-url hashtag" rel="nofollow noopener" target="_blank">#signlovers</a>

Bill SwislowGyros gets the minimalist treatment at AJ's Grill, Broadway at Hood. Gone.<a href="https://mastodon.social/tags/gyrosproject" class="mention hashtag" rel="nofollow noopener" target="_blank">#gyrosproject</a> <a href="https://mastodon.social/tags/gyros" class="mention hashtag" rel="nofollow noopener" target="_blank">#gyros</a> <a href="https://mastodon.social/tags/d%C3%B6ner" class="mention hashtag" rel="nofollow noopener" target="_blank">#döner</a> <a href="https://mastodon.social/tags/doner" class="mention hashtag" rel="nofollow noopener" target="_blank">#doner</a> <a href="https://mastodon.social/tags/streetfood" class="mention hashtag" rel="nofollow noopener" target="_blank">#streetfood</a> <a href="https://mastodon.social/tags/roadsideart" class="mention hashtag" rel="nofollow noopener" target="_blank">#roadsideart</a> <a href="https://mastodon.social/tags/vernacularart" class="mention hashtag" rel="nofollow noopener" target="_blank">#vernacularart</a> <a href="https://mastodon.social/tags/SCA" class="mention hashtag" rel="nofollow noopener" target="_blank">#SCA</a>-roadside <a href="https://mastodon.social/tags/signage" class="mention hashtag" rel="nofollow noopener" target="_blank">#signage</a> <a href="https://mastodon.social/tags/signlovers" class="mention hashtag" rel="nofollow noopener" target="_blank">#signlovers</a>

Bill SwislowTwistee Treat and its cone-shaped buildings has been around since 1983. Here’s an early example, photographed c. 1985.<a href="https://mastodon.social/tags/roadsideart" class="mention hashtag" rel="nofollow noopener" target="_blank">#roadsideart</a> <a href="https://mastodon.social/tags/vernacularart" class="mention hashtag" rel="nofollow noopener" target="_blank">#vernacularart</a> <a href="https://mastodon.social/tags/sca_roadside" class="mention hashtag" rel="nofollow noopener" target="_blank">#sca_roadside</a> <a href="https://mastodon.social/tags/signage" class="mention hashtag" rel="nofollow noopener" target="_blank">#signage</a> <a href="https://mastodon.social/tags/signlovers" class="mention hashtag" rel="nofollow noopener" target="_blank">#signlovers</a> <a href="https://mastodon.social/tags/roadfood" class="mention hashtag" rel="nofollow noopener" target="_blank">#roadfood</a>

Bill SwislowGhost signs at Sydlee Electronic Supply Corp., Springfield, Mass. Photographed 1984. The building is gone. I had hours of creative fun with a Voice of Music reel-to-reel tape recorder in my youth.<a href="https://mastodon.social/tags/roadsideart" class="mention hashtag" rel="nofollow noopener" target="_blank">#roadsideart</a> <a href="https://mastodon.social/tags/vernacularart" class="mention hashtag" rel="nofollow noopener" target="_blank">#vernacularart</a> <a href="https://mastodon.social/tags/sca_roadside" class="mention hashtag" rel="nofollow noopener" target="_blank">#sca_roadside</a> <a href="https://mastodon.social/tags/signage" class="mention hashtag" rel="nofollow noopener" target="_blank">#signage</a> <a href="https://mastodon.social/tags/signlovers" class="mention hashtag" rel="nofollow noopener" target="_blank">#signlovers</a> <a href="https://mastodon.social/tags/roadfood" class="mention hashtag" rel="nofollow noopener" target="_blank">#roadfood</a> <a href="https://mastodon.social/tags/vintageneon" class="mention hashtag" rel="nofollow noopener" target="_blank">#vintageneon</a> <a href="https://mastodon.social/tags/neonsigns" class="mention hashtag" rel="nofollow noopener" target="_blank">#neonsigns</a> <a href="https://mastodon.social/tags/ghostsign" class="mention hashtag" rel="nofollow noopener" target="_blank">#ghostsign</a> <a href="https://mastodon.social/tags/ghostsigns" class="mention hashtag" rel="nofollow noopener" target="_blank">#ghostsigns</a>

Bill SwislowPark Motel, McRae, Georgia. In City, on U.S. 23, 341. John & Arbilee Kelly, Owners. Now the World Travel Inn.<a href="https://mastodon.social/tags/vintagemotel" class="mention hashtag" rel="nofollow noopener" target="_blank">#vintagemotel</a> <a href="https://mastodon.social/tags/motel" class="mention hashtag" rel="nofollow noopener" target="_blank">#motel</a> <a href="https://mastodon.social/tags/vintagepostcard" class="mention hashtag" rel="nofollow noopener" target="_blank">#vintagepostcard</a> <a href="https://mastodon.social/tags/roadsideart" class="mention hashtag" rel="nofollow noopener" target="_blank">#roadsideart</a> <a href="https://mastodon.social/tags/sca_roadside" class="mention hashtag" rel="nofollow noopener" target="_blank">#sca_roadside</a> <a href="https://mastodon.social/tags/motelsigns" class="mention hashtag" rel="nofollow noopener" target="_blank">#motelsigns</a> <a href="https://mastodon.social/tags/signage" class="mention hashtag" rel="nofollow noopener" target="_blank">#signage</a> <a href="https://mastodon.social/tags/signlovers" class="mention hashtag" rel="nofollow noopener" target="_blank">#signlovers</a>

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