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The Whip: 1928
... Now they would be painted in alternating primary or neon colors with none of the finery. I suppose our culture lost something when ... 
 
Posted by Dave - 07/24/2008 - 3:33pm -

"Glen Echo, 1928." Riding the Whip at Glen Echo amusement park in Maryland. View full size. National Photo Company Collection glass negative. Smooth operator!Look at Mr Smooth to the right, with a girl on each arm! I bet he enjoyed the ride. Whip It! Whip It Good!Coney Island SensationWashington Post, May 19, 1918 10,000 Enjoy Amusement Grounds. "Whip" and Derby Racer Popular. With workmen still putting the finishing touches on the new amusements, Glen Echo Park, Washington's favorite amusement grounds, formally opened the 1918 season last night. More than 10,000 persons, including the "tired business man" and the weary war workers, enjoyed the evening in the park. The center of attraction last night was the new "Whip," the Coney Island sensation which has just been installed. That dancing has lost none of its popularity was shown by the number of couples on the floor. Throngs also gathered around the derby racer and the gravity for the speed rides. The first of the season's free Sunday concerts will be given this afternoon. The WhipI have to remark at the number of adults on what we would now consider a children's ride. Noticeable too is that the men are wearing suits and ties. To our society they are all overdressed and in the wrong attire for an amusement park. Also, the Whip is exposed to the elements, not so good for the leather seats and the mechanics of the ride. What I remember most about the Whip ride was that all the exposed metal chains and gears were covered in a greasy lubricant to prevent rust and to ease friction. You see none of that here. It looks too clean with no gum on the concrete and no trash on the ground. The cars on the Whip also seem to be hand painted with ornate designs. Now they would be painted in alternating primary or neon colors with none of the finery. I suppose our culture lost something when we took off our coats and put on T-shirts. Young Whippersnapper Riverview Beach Amusement Park in Pennsville, New Jersey had a nice kiddie version of The Whip in 1948. The nice paint job was somewhat more Art Deco by that time. That's me and the photographer was my father. (The Gallery, Natl Photo, Sports)
Alice's Restaurant: 1939
... station on the far right. Alas, all of the cool deco/neon signage is gone. Enduring Concrete pavement proves its ... 
 
Posted by Dave - 04/21/2019 - 2:40pm -

September 1939. "Street on Saturday afternoon in Belzoni, Mississippi Delta." Medium format negative by Marion Post Wolcott. View full size. Well Known Wallace Shows EntertainersWell known now but not so much then. Clyde Beatty -- famous animal trainer. Joe Skelton, the father of Red Skelton, once worked as a clown in the Hagenbeck-Wallace Circus. Red himself performed with the same circus as a teenager before entering vaudeville. Emmett Kelly got his start as "Weary Willie" during the Great Depression with Hagenbeck-Wallace. Maria Rasputin, daughter of that infamous Russian mystic. Hoot Gibson -- in 1937 this cowboy, rodeo performer, and movie actor performed with the circus. A little Hagenbeck-Wallace Circus History Sideway signsWhat's missing in this modern day and age are the old style signs that protrude above the sidewalks. From the 1939 pic just by a glance I would know what businesses lay ahead and from the google street view supplied by arch fan (thank you), with the almost every establishment and business displaying their brand, but today you see none of this. Unless you lived in that area you would have no idea what lies ahead as you're going down that road. I now have a real appreciation of how branding and signage was done back then. Goldberg's of BelzoniThe fate of Alice's Cafe is unknown, but there is still a "Goldberg's" in this location (North Hayden Street) in Belzoni. It is no longer a grocery store (once known as "The Home of Good Things to Eat"), but is a department store. Opened by Joe Goldberg in 1916, it recently celebrated its centennial. DecolessThis seems to be it. On the left, the front of Alice's seems to have been rebuilt, but Goldberg's is still there. On the right, Ken's Discount Furniture still has the ball-on-top-of-block at the corner of the building. The fruit market's windows have been bricked up, but there's still a gas station on the far right. Alas, all of the cool deco/neon signage is gone. EnduringConcrete pavement proves its superiority as witnessed in the street view of its present condition. Kudos to the city officials who originally made that choice. I Have To AskJust what are those bags for? Is it to weigh down the front when there is a huge stash in the trunk? What? Can anyone tell me? [They keep your cotton from spilling all over the road. - Dave] [Thanks mate! I knew you would know - Baxado] Coca-ColaI was going to comment that Alice's Cafe not having a Coke sign violates Shorpy's longstanding policy of including a Coke sign on every venue. But then I looked across the street where the Coke signs clearly met or exceeded standards. Whew. It took me a whileto figure out that IMP.CO on the truck in the intersection stands for Implement - as in farm equipment. I didn't even google it. (The Gallery, Eateries & Bars, M.P. Wolcott, Small Towns)
Hotel Fontenelle: 1938
... hotel looking out over the city. The seven storey vertical neon sign would have been quite a sight at night. Neon tube maintenance would not be a job for someone with vertigo. The ladder ... 
 
Posted by Dave - 08/07/2020 - 1:18pm -

November 1938. "Hotel Fontenelle, social center of Omaha, Nebraska." Medium format acetate negative by John Vachon for the Farm Security Administration. View full size. Gone by 1983It is now a parking lot next to the Hruska Federal Courthouse. Hotel FontenelleI've always had a soft spot for that place. Too Upscale?I wonder if the Hotel Fontenelle was too pricey for John Vachon's budget? We might not get a view from a window in this hotel looking out over the city. The seven storey vertical neon sign would have been quite a sight at night. Neon tube maintenance would not be a job for someone with vertigo. The ladder on the right side of the sign provided access to the full height of the sign. (The Gallery, John Vachon, Omaha)
Spud Cellar: 1939
... think so... Re: On Tap The Wieland's On Tap (beer, neon) and SOFT DRINKS (painted on glass) are two different signs. (The ... 
 
Posted by Dave - 09/08/2011 - 2:17pm -

October 1939. Tavern on main street of potato town during harvest season. Merrill, Oregon. View full size. Photograph by Dorothea Lange. "I like them french fried taters"Got any mustard and biscuits in there? ...Carl Childers (Slingblade) On TapSoft drinks? How lame. Who would want to go to a bar after a hard day's labor and drink fountain soda? I don't think so... Re: On TapThe Wieland's On Tap (beer, neon) and SOFT DRINKS (painted on glass) are two different signs. (The Gallery, Dorothea Lange, Eateries & Bars, Great Depression)
Trainlight: 1943
... out after that. The cityglow on the horizon was like a neon sign saying "aim here" to any bad guys at sea. (The Gallery, ... 
 
Posted by Dave - 08/30/2012 - 3:30pm -

March 1943. "Activity in the Santa Fe R.R. yard, Los Angeles, Calif. All switch lights, headlights and lamps have been shaded from above in accordance with blackout regulations. The heavy light streaks are caused by paths of locomotive headlights and the thin lines by lamps of switchmen working in the yard. Santa Fe R.R. trip." View full size. 4x5 Kodachrome transparency by Jack Delano, who seems to have been among the earliest photographers of light trails in color. Blackout lightsWeird to think there were blackout regulations in LA in 1943 ... Garrett Dash Nelson LA BlackoutA Japanese sub shelled a pier at the Goleta oilfields near Santa Barbara just a few months after Pearl Harbor, so it was lights out after that. The cityglow on the horizon was like a neon sign saying "aim here" to any bad guys at sea. (The Gallery, Kodachromes, Jack Delano, Los Angeles, Railroads, WW2)
Skill Ball: 1939
... name. No poker for these ladies! Light the Night Neon lighting is so effective. Understand it's making a comeback. Good. ... 
 
Posted by Dave - 09/08/2010 - 12:46am -

1939. "Night street scene in Butte, Montana." 35mm nitrate negative by Arthur Rothstein for the Resettlement Administration. View full size. Corner of Main and GraniteThe arcade appears to have been repurposed, but overall the scene is still the same. View Larger Map Ladies NightAccording to the book "Mining Cultures: Men, Women and Leisure in Butte, 1914-1941," skill ball was the sort of game a woman could play without risking her good name. No poker for these ladies! Light the NightNeon lighting is so effective. Understand it's making a comeback. Good. Suggestion for next ShorpyTVI think Ken should get cracking on a film noir. HopperesqueIt looks like a painting by Edward Hopper -- Nighthawks revisited! (The Gallery, Arthur Rothstein)
The Light Refreshment: 1957
... Hits the Spot It would thrill me to no end to see that neon Pepsi sign in action! I'll bet any amount of money that those bubbles ... 
 
Posted by Dave - 02/21/2018 - 6:08pm -

New York, 1957. "Broadway Theatre District -- Times Square at night." Now playing at Loew's State: "The Sweet Smell of Success." 35mm negative from the Look magazine photo archive. View full size. Moses in TechnicolorThe Ten Commandments is playing at the Criterion, which is where I saw it on a school field trip back in those days. Beau JamesThe marquee is promoting the 1957 biopic of New York Mayor Jimmy Walker (in office 1926-1932), starring Bob Hope in one of his few dramatic roles. Also starring Paul Douglas. DuMont signThe DuMont name was not long for the consumer-facing world in 1957. DuMont Television Network operations had already been sold to John Kluge in 1956. These became Metromedia, which in turn became Fox Television Stations later. Allen DuMont sold his television manufacturing division to Emerson Radio in 1958. Pepsi Cola Hits the SpotIt would thrill me to no end to see that neon Pepsi sign in action! I'll bet any amount of money that those bubbles "moved", too! @ BillyMazz: That video was awesome! I especially liked how the bottle cap lit up. It was better than I anticipated. Thanks! Camel BillboardYou can see the edge of the celebrated smoking Camel cigarette billboard, which was mounted on the Hotel Claridge. On calm days, the smoke rings would blow half way across Times Square. Nice footage of the Pepsi sign in actionIn response to Root 66's post about the Pepsi atop the Bond building, I found this on YouTube. Look around the 1:10 mark. Enjoy! https://youtu.be/TIPnMB_KOsM (The Gallery, Cars, Trucks, Buses, LOOK, Movies, NYC)
The Jackpot Spot: 1951
... else like it. Vestigial Tale I just visited the neon museum in Vegas recently, and they've got a couple of the original signs. ... 
 
Posted by Dave - 07/26/2021 - 6:59pm -

"Las Vegas 1951 -- Las Vegas Club." The latest Kodachrome noir from the camera of our roving western correspondent Don Cox. View full size. They give us those Nice Bright ColorsLook at those rich, dark blacks and those great saturated colors. Sigh. I really miss shooting with Kodachrome. There was nothing else like it. Vestigial TaleI just visited the neon museum in Vegas recently, and they've got a couple of the original signs. One of my time travel fantasiesI would love to take a trip to Vegas in the early fifties, before anyone had ever heard of "card counting" or knew how to spot it. (The Gallery, Kodachromes, Cars, Trucks, Buses, Don Cox)
The Sugar Factory: 1915
... sure this is looking northeast rather than south. The neon C&H sign atop the old building was restored and is still in use. ... 
 
Posted by Dave - 12/11/2013 - 10:42am -

Crockett, Calif., circa 1915. "South view of refinery and entrance to Loring Avenue." Plant of the California & Hawaii Sugar Refining Co. View full size. Confused [normal]I gather that Crockett is in California so how does Hawaii fit in except as a source for the raw materials used. [See this. -tterrace] The references to the sugar cane fields is what confused me . Thanks for the help!! Need all I can get at times. Pure cane sugar from HawaiiThat old building on the left - apparently the main factory - is still there. You cannot see the Carqueniz Straits behind, but where the old hotel is now spans the Carqueniz Bridge, and I believe Amtrak goes right past. It's a tiny town, in some places definitely showing its age, but it's still adorable. The factory is, I believe, still in use as well. Crockett todayAs close as I can make it... Moon over sugarcaneThat was back when most of the flat land on the Hawaiian islands was in sugarcane! I doubt there is any left. When I got there, as a teen, in 1970, there were still lots of cane fields, on Oahu, where we lived. We teenagers had all kinds of good places to "park" after football games and dances. By the time I left, 3.5 years later, the cane fields, and most of the pineapple fields, were covered with condos. I've wondered where the teenagers go to "spoon", now! The Sugar FactoryWe lived in Crockett about 35 years ago. It hasn't changed too much since then, but the area around is much more built up. The factory sirens would sound off at about 7:30 a.m., noon, and 5:30 p.m. and they were very loud. The volunteer fire department used the same sirens in combinations of short and long to indicate where in the town the fire was. This happened several times a week. After a while we didn't even notice the noise. Looking NortheastI am pretty sure this is looking northeast rather than south. The neon C&H sign atop the old building was restored and is still in use. Visible from the air on clear nights from quite a distance. ["South view" means it's the view from the south. -tterrace] Thanks tt! PS: I went to a July 4th fireworks display in Crockett in about 1974 and we sat in the park just west of the sugar factory. The cold embers (?) from the fireworks fell on us during the show. (The Gallery, Factories, Natl Photo)
Questa: 1939
... and a bit out of place compared to the others. Is it neon? Sipping Four Roses at the Four Roses. That step just outside the ... 
 
Posted by Dave - 06/19/2018 - 11:25am -

September 1939. "Street scene. Questa, New Mexico." One last look at the business district of this bucolic burg before we motor west. Medium format acetate negative by Russell Lee for the Farm Security Administration. View full size. Indian(a) Gasoline, father of TexacoIndian Refining Company was one of the ancestors of Texaco. I found this page with a history of Indian Asphalt/Indian Refining of Indiana (only sort of), Havermeyer Oil (the creators of Havoline motor oil), and Texaco in all its variations. Given how Indian and Texaco's histories are intertwined, I'm not the least surprised to find an Indian pump installed at a station sporting a Texaco sign. Indian GasThe nearer pump globe sports an "Indian Gas" logo. Who has the dope on Indian brand gasoline? Bet those globes fetch a few bucks today. Am I seeing right?Does the sign by the hood of the car really read "MONEY FOR SALE"? [No, honey. - Dave] Tivoli BreweryFounded in 1859, closed in 1969, and reopened in 2016 in its original Denver location. If These Shabby, Flimsy Walls Could Only TalkThey might say a few things about a rough little town. Excerpt from Another Time in This Place: Historia, Cultura y Vida en Questa (2003) by Tessie Rael y Ortega and Judith Cuddihy: "“At this time [1943], Questa had the most despicable reputation with anyone else. So Father Smith decided to do something. One day he got an axe and starting tearing down the bridge, the only way out of town. When people saw what he was doing, they were furious. They said, “What are you doing that for?” And Father Smith said, “If I don’t tear down the bridge, it’ll fall down.” The people said, “In that case, we’ll help you.” So they tore it down and then they realized what they had done. “Now we can’t get out of town,” they said. Father Smith said, “I guess you’ll have to build another one.” And they did. Father Smith lived in a house on top of a hill where the Parish Hall is now located. From there he could see everything that was going on in town—who was fighting, who was hanging out in bars, and so forth. One day he had a police siren mounted on top of his car. Whenever he saw a disturbance, he’d turn on the siren and go down. He said to them, “Did you see it? Did you hear it? Then swallow it.” He succeeded in remodeling Questa. Two years later it won a prize for civil cooperation.” Lunch SuppliesThe typeface on the Groceries sign looks very modern and a bit out of place compared to the others. Is it neon? Sipping Four Roses at the Four Roses.That step just outside the door of the Four Roses Cafe seems like it would be trouble for a sober man but a man full of Four Roses Bourbon served by the saucy redheaded Four Roses barmaid would defy gravity and blessed drunkenness if he were able to navigate it and steer a homeward bound course. (The Gallery, Gas Stations, Russell Lee, Stores & Markets)
Army Goods: 1940
... talking tour guide, the business moved with its old neon sign after new locations opened in and around the local shopping mall 25 ... 
 
Posted by Dave - 07/20/2019 - 12:22pm -

December 1940. Rapides Parish, Louisiana. "Corner building in center of Alexandria showing signs advertising Army and military wearing apparel and goods." Medium format acetate negative by Marion Post Wolcott for the Farm Security Administration. View full size. Barksdale FieldBarksdale Field (now Barksdale AFB) is located near Alexandria, and back in the day, officers would be responsible for buying their own uniforms from tailor shops. [The principal military outpost here was Camp Livingston, the Army base formerly known as Camp Tioga. - Dave] Corner of 3rd & Desoto Ginsberg; Weiss & GoldringThe store formerly known as "B. Ginsberg" (later taken over by Caplan's) still sells uniforms, as demonstrated by the items on display in the front windows on the Google Street View. The name "Weiss & Goldring" remains above the door of the department store building to the right, but according to page 7 this wonderful City of Alexandria downtown talking tour guide, the business moved with its old neon sign after new locations opened in and around the local shopping mall 25 years ago. https://www.cityofalexandriala.com/sites/default/files/ahpc/docs/walking... [Do not put brackets around URLs. - Dave] Camp ClaiborneI was born at Baptist Hospital in Alexandria while my father was stationed at Camp Claiborne, which was just outside Alexandria during WWII. He was shipped to Europe from there and then to Normandy, France. Camp Claiborne no longer exists. Barksdale AFB is actually located adjacent to Shreveport, quite a way northwest of Alexandria. (The Gallery, Cars, Trucks, Buses, M.P. Wolcott, Stores & Markets, WW2)
Dacotah II: 1940
... many PT Cruisers. Beautiful at night With the neon signs and those spectacular five globe streetlights. What nostalgia. ... 
 
Posted by Dave - 12/07/2019 - 12:32am -

October 1940. "Grand Forks, North Dakota." A scene last glimpsed here in 35mm. Medium format negative by John Vachon for the Resettlement Administration. View full size. Retro RidesSoooooo many PT Cruisers. Beautiful at night With the neon signs and those spectacular five globe streetlights. What nostalgia. Wired correctlyThe globe lights are very nice. Notice that the power lines are buried? Good forward thinking. Camera swap sequenceIn case anyone ever needed to know, Mr. Vachon took the 35mm version before the medium format version. [Was he in his pajamas? - Dave] (The Gallery, Cars, Trucks, Buses, John Vachon, Small Towns)
Twin Falls: 1941
... Meter Bonanza is in the making And I also like the neon signs and all the little restaurants. Blue Plate special today: Liver and ... 
 
Posted by Dave - 09/22/2018 - 7:28pm -

May 1941. "Main street of Twin Falls, Idaho. Among industries in this town are a sugar beet factory, cannery and it is a shipping center for potatoes and onions." Photo by Russell Lee for the Farm Security Administration. View full size. License plate county codesMany states have dropped the system of sorting license plate numbers by county, as growth in the number of registered vehicles made it unworkable in the more populous states, and computer databases made it unnecessary. Idaho, however, still uses the system, and 6R was Twin Falls County until 1944. My earliest memory of knowing the year was when I watched my dad put on new license plates in 1971. He let me keep the old ones, kicking off an obsession that has waxed and waned over the years. I'm glad that I'm too young to have experienced the ordeal of waiting in line at the courthouse with every single other vehicle owner in the county, when records were all paper, and everyone had to renew them at the first of the year. That doesn't sound like fun at all. It's about the countyK. McCool, in the years of annual license plate replacement, all the plates would be issued in sequence to the counties; "6R" would have been the prefix for auto plates issued in Twin Falls County. Other states did the same; I remember that in 1975 my Texas county was assigned car plates beginning with CDW through CDZ. Truck plates would have a different sequence that identified them as belonging to a truck, trailers similarly, and so on. This changed with the gradual adoption of multi-year valid plates, so when a car moved from one county to another it wouldn't automatically be issued a new plate from its new county in the next year. Today, it's virtually impossible to identify closely where a car is from based on its license plate number. ShadowsThe shadow line created by those cars parked along the curb is a neat aspect of this picture. Hope someone comes along and helps identify them. A Parking Meter Bonanza is in the makingAnd I also like the neon signs and all the little restaurants. Blue Plate special today: Liver and onions. Move on to the next joint. Chop Suey and 6RIt appears that the City Cafe's specialty was Chop Suey. Is it odd that the owner would include that on what looks like a fairly expensive sign out front. Also, I find it interesting that the three license plate numbers in front all begin with "6R." Perhaps something to do with Idaho's license plate numbering convention at that time? (The Gallery, Cars, Trucks, Buses, Russell Lee, Stores & Markets)
Hector's Palace of Sweets: 1937
November 1937. Neon sign for Hector’s Palace of Sweets Cafe in Crosby, North Dakota. View ... 
 
Posted by Dave - 01/09/2008 - 2:13am -

November 1937. Neon sign for Hector’s Palace of Sweets Cafe in Crosby, North Dakota. View full size. 35mm nitrate negative by Russell Lee for the FSA. Sign of GreatnessReally great example of Art Deco here An endangered speciesFor decades, we've torn down these extraordinary signs with no thought of salvage. There ought to be a sign museum. It won't be long before all the old signs are gone. [American Sign Museum. - Dave] A Sign Unto YouMy company still builds signs like these. There is little demand. When we do have projects like this they are by far the most enjoyable and always get the most press upon installation. There is a great sign museum in Tulsa as well and you can rent it for receptions and parties: http://www.stokelyeventcenter.com/ (The Gallery, Eateries & Bars, Russell Lee, Small Towns)
Coffee Shop Cadillac: 1964
... Coffee Shop and Mosher Record Store, Boston, night." Neon with a side of tailfin. 35mm negative, photographer unknown. View full ... 
 
Posted by Dave - 07/20/2015 - 10:44am -

"St. Clairs Coffee Shop and Mosher Record Store, Boston, night." Neon with a side of tailfin. 35mm negative, photographer unknown. View full size. HeadscratcherThe 1969 Boston phone directory lists the St Clairs Coffee Shop at 180 Tremont St., which matches the number on the door, and Mosher Music next door at #181 (indicating street numbering only on one side of the street - the Boston Common is on the other side of Tremont). But the building now at that address (as seen in Google Street View) has clearly been there since at least the 20s or 30s based on the architectural style. I'd be curious if any of the folks who have posted remembrances on the other photos from this set recall where this building was - has Tremont been renumbered since the 60s? Tremont doorwayThe doorway with the "rosette-like" decorations around it marked 182 Tremont at the far right in our photo above seems to match the door currently marked as 180 Tremont in the Google street level view. Edison Electric Illuminating CompanyGood eye, gwad! That is definitely a match. So, this places the St. Clairs' and Mosher Music on the first floor of the Edison Electric Illuminating Building, originally 180-182 Tremont St, but now renumbered as just 180 Tremont. Perhaps if the photo had been taken in daylight we'd be able to see the distinctive metal-edged overhang that appears on the building today, although it's possible that that's been retrofitted and wasn't there in the 1960s. Interestingly, the Edison building was home to one of Boston's first radio stations, WEEI ("EEI" standing for Edison Electric Illuminating). It still exists as an AM/FM sports station, although it's now located elsewhere in Boston. And now that the building is owned by Emerson College, their own radio station, WERS, has its studio space just where the St. Clairs' was. I always wondered why they put the radio station there; perhaps it was because the building was already fitted with an antenna (although I'm sure it had to be upgraded). In my research online I found that there was a St. Clairs' Fine Foods located nearby, on the corner of Berkeley and Boylston (where the Starbucks is now, for locals). I wonder if they were related businesses - the apostrophe in the same unconventional location is otherwise an unusual coincidence, perhaps. (The Gallery, Boston, Cars, Trucks, Buses, Eateries & Bars, Found Photos)
Mardi Gras 1952
... Paddock Club, a long time jazz venue. (The animated neon sign depicting a galloping horse is mostly hidden behind the hat of the ... 
 
Posted by jnc - 06/24/2008 - 9:51pm -

New Orleans French Quarter during Mardi Gras 1952 captures characters and a club headlining noted jazz clarinetist Alphonse Picou (1878 -1961). Mr. Picou played the Paddock Lounge at 309 Bourbon Street in the 1950s so it’s possible this is taken there. A small but nice view of Mardi Gras before it was commercialized and the Quarter before the T-Shirt shops. From Mother-in-law collection, wish the life-loving lady was still around and to answer a few questions. Picou on Bourbon StreetGreat photo! Yes, the location is the 300 block of Bourbon Street. The sign for Picou is on Steve Valenti's Paddock Club, a long time jazz venue. (The animated neon sign depicting a galloping horse is mostly hidden behind the hat of the cowboy at left.) With various name changes good jazz could still be heard at this location into the 1980s. (Contrary to popular rumor, good jazz can still be heard in the Quarter, just not on the Bourbon Street tourist strip.) To the right the pocket park was at the time called "Edison Park" (created when the old electric station at the location was demolished), since renamed "Jazz Legends Park". Commercialized Mardi GrasI'd love to have been at a Mardi Gras parade in 1952, but modern day Mardi Gras is great too. It is much bigger, but it's not commercialized. It's still funded by the krewe members and that makes it the greatest free show on earth. (ShorpyBlog, Member Gallery)
Somewhere in San Diego
... want to stay at the Hotel San Diego and check out all the neon. Lastly, let's invite that sailor out for dinner and a drink. Two ... 
 
Posted by brianvnt90 - 10/13/2011 - 7:26am -

My Dad and Grandfather took a trip to Southern California around June 1967 timeframe, here is one of the slides from that trip. View full size. Hey, sailor!There are so many cool things in this shot! The cars are to die for -- a Caddy convertible and a couple of sports cars for starters. I want to stay at the Hotel San Diego and check out all the neon. Lastly, let's invite that sailor out for dinner and a drink. Two Austin-HealeysTwo Austin Healeys -- a 3000 about to run down the sailor and a Bugeye on the curb. And a '57 Chevy ragtop! All rust free. County Courthouse at 500 W. BroadwayWe're looking east on Broadway. All those wonderful (!) shops in the building between the Honda billboard and the vertical blinds of the Courthouse are gone, replaced by the Hall Of Justice in 1997 or so. The Hotel San Diego coffee shop was a preferred break destination for personnel from the courts and affiliated services. Mid-morning it was thronged with judges, attorneys, and probation officers. Many a plea was generated there and formalized across the street. W. Broadway, San DiegoThe last time I was there was August 14, 1965. I was amazed that I thought I knew where it was so I verified the Pickwick and the U.S. Grant hotels. We left the next morning, Japan, P.I., Korea, Vietnam, Back to Olongapo and then to Sasebo and Okinawa -Kadena - I flew from Kadena to Castle AFB in early Jan 1966. (ShorpyBlog, Member Gallery)
Vienna: 1959
... image. Almost 60 years later, it looks like most of the neon is gone. (ShorpyBlog, Member Gallery) ... 
 
Posted by ecmnut - 12/02/2017 - 7:29pm -

Thank you for the observations. I originally thought this was Germany. Now I'm searching Vienna Austria on Google maps, looking for the geographic location. View full size. Austria?I think this may be Vienna, Austria. For starters "Österreichische Volkspartei" means "Austrian People's Party". Secondly a search of "Akademiestraße" which is on the sign under the streetlight appears to be in Vienna. Somewhere in Austria?My guess would be Vienna. The Österreichische Volkspartei (Austrian People's Party) is headquartered in the Austrian capital, as well as Semperit (manufacturer of rubber and plastic products). The Neuer Kurier (a Viennese newspaper) was first published in 1954. Also, the W on the license plate of the motorbike in the lower left would indicate Wien (Vienna). Just in case you haven't found it yet...this is Vienna, standing on Akademiestrasse/Kärntner-Ring, looking roughly north (Wollzeile). The "Moulin Rouge" on the right is now closed. Thank you! It was ViennaA woman from Austria's Tourism Office sent me a google map with the location notated. Praise the Google! Here is a Google street view from a spot 100 feet forward of the 1959 image. Almost 60 years later, it looks like most of the neon is gone. (ShorpyBlog, Member Gallery)
Earl Carroll's Vanities (Colorized): 1925
... I was too heavy with the colors, which made them look like neon. In my opinion your just too light, darken your skin tones and other ... 
 
Posted by pdlandry - 03/29/2013 - 7:14pm -

I've grown quite fond of this picture, and have wanted to color it for a while now. I have been amazed by some of the skin tones achieved in some of the other colorizations here on Shorpy, so I attempted to step up my game on this one, but don't come close. Good job and a shout out to all those who bring these old photo's to life with color! View full size. Great StartIt takes time to too learn this craft, thats what I think it is, a craft. You`ll get better as you color more pics. I have colorized many pics that I just didn`t care for when I was done, some are better than others. From what I can see you do have the right stuff to be very good at this. You are doing the opposite of me when I started out, I was too heavy with the colors, which made them look like neon. In my opinion your just too light, darken your skin tones and other colors. Details in back the grounds are very important, they give it that extra needed look to your pic. Looking forward to seeing more of your work, good luck. Rich Great ChoiceYou chose something interesting to put color to. It's got people in it. Check out how many of these colorized pictures are b-o-r-i-n-g: pigs and sheep and back alleyways. Good for you, and it ain't half bad! (Colorized Photos)
Christmas 1969, image two
... full size. Helter Skelter Velour shirts, check. Neon yellow pants, check, Yep, it's definitely 1969! Great family shot, BTW. ... 
 
Posted by gjoe - 10/06/2009 - 7:22am -

Bottom left, my dad, Joe; My mother, Rosemarie; my aunt Loraine; my grandfather Ralph; my grandmother Mary; my uncle Ralph and Freckles the dog. Christmas 1969 at my grandparents home in Floral Park, NY. View full size. Helter SkelterVelour shirts, check. Neon yellow pants, check, Yep, it's definitely 1969! Great family shot, BTW. Thank you!I have more but need to find the time to scan them. (ShorpyBlog, Member Gallery, Christmas)
Hottest Slots in Town
... gamble, so I took Kodachrome slides of the incredible neon signs and watched the passing parade of people. This sign was all in ... 
 
Posted by Angus J - 09/10/2021 - 8:43am -

On a road trip in 1977 I visited Las Vegas and stayed for one night. I don't gamble, so I took Kodachrome slides of the incredible neon signs and watched the passing parade of people. This sign was all in motion, with sequencing lights making the fire hose appear to be spraying water to cool down the overheated slot machines. (ShorpyBlog, Member Gallery)
Paper Airplane 2: 1962
... of some very cool signs he made in the 60's. Some were neon, some gold leaf, most hand lettered, which is also a lost art. I hope to ... 
 
Posted by rubysshoes - 02/01/2013 - 9:02pm -

A closer look at Dad's handiwork, which I believe was done during the time he was stationed at Andrews AFB in Maryland, around 1962. View full size. Cool Diorama!I would have liked to have known your Dad. Diorama making is a lost art. re: Cool DioramaI wish everyone could have known him! A talented man, my Dad. This was just one of the things he did well. I have a good size collection of military comic panels and strips that he drew during his time in the service. Some of them were published at the time in various Officer's newsletters and other service based publications. Some are in rather rough shape..I am working on archiving and preserving them, and possibly offering them to the Air Force Museum at Wright Patterson AFB. I also have many photos of some very cool signs he made in the 60's. Some were neon, some gold leaf, most hand lettered, which is also a lost art. I hope to get some of those scanned soon and uploaded to Shorpy. I am ridiculously proud of my Dad. He would have been obsessed with Shorpy, and sharing him here with all of you is an honor, and would thrill him to the core. Thank you, Shorpy, for giving me this way to remember him. (ShorpyBlog, Member Gallery)
Times Square: 1950
... trip home from Puerto Rico sometime in 1950. They say the neon lights are bright on Broadway! View full size. (ShorpyBlog, Member ... 
 
Posted by mpcdsp - 10/11/2013 - 7:14pm -

My brother carried his trusty Argus C3 with him on his trip home from Puerto Rico sometime in 1950. They say the neon lights are bright on Broadway! View full size. (ShorpyBlog, Member Gallery)
Hundreds Spot Flying Saucer!
... 35mm Ektachromes. I like this one also for the vintage neon signs. Gad, how I hated it when those flat, bland ... 
 
Posted by tterrace - 09/22/2011 - 7:11pm -

1956 Cal Poly Homecoming Parade, San Luis Obispo, Calif. Another of my brother's 35mm Ektachromes. I like this one also for the vintage neon signs. Gad, how I hated it when those flat, bland fluorescent-behind-translucent-plastic jobs started taking over. View full size. (ShorpyBlog, Member Gallery, tterrapix)
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