A Glimpse at vintage neon signs of Atlanta

In 1923, French engineer Georges Claude and his
company Claude Neon, introduced neon gas signs to the United States. Georges sold two neon signs to a Packard car dealership in Los Angeles. The two signs reading "Packard" were sold for an astonishing $24,000.

Neon lighting quickly became a popular fixture in outdoor advertising. Visible even in daylight, people would stop and stare at the first neon signs dubbed "liquid fire."

I personally have always had an infatuation with vintage neon signs. There is something about the glow of neon in a black and white photo that just evokes a story. Atlanta has its’ fair share of neon signs. My blog today chronicles some of those neon signs I have seen on my travels throughout the city.

As a kid I remember buying a neon sign that said “Perry’s Ice Cream”, the neon was broken, but I was so excited to own my very own neon sign. I cannot recall where I bought it, but it was vintage. I do recall I paid $40.00 for it. Later that week, using my powers of social networking I was able to sell it to one of our customers at the antique store whose last name was Perry! She had the neon repaired and it actually hangs in her loft inspired home to this day. I remember visiting her home years later and looking up and saying “HEY!, I recognize that!”.

Growing up in Powder Springs there were only a few places to eat lunch. One of those places was called Johnny’s Barbecue. Johnny’s was a household name. You went to Johnny’s after a baseball game, after church and most definitly after the football games on Friday night. One year it changed hands and preacher named Donny took over. The restaurant named changed to Donny’s. This didn’t go over so well. Rumor was the rent was $20,000 a month and business wasn’t going so well. Johnny came back and with his arrival he brought the LARGEST neon sign that Powder Springs had ever seen. It was all capital letters and it read JOHNNYS in red neon. I can still picture this sign to this day. It was an audacious move. Our town glowed red. I can remember my Mother saying "Johnny is so rediculous, that sign is god awful". A google search lead no results to this sign :(

Some of the best neon signs have to be on Peachtree Street downtown and on Ponce. Many of the original neon signs are still present today, but in rough condition. My all time favorite is the Kodak sign on Ponce. It would be absolutely breathtaking restored, but it sits above Ponce in a dilapidated condition. It tells such a great story of the hey day advertising in Atlanta.

Another iconic sign in Atlanta is the Coca-Cola sign. It is a staple of my childhood as well. I took this picture at 10:34 AM on a bright sunny Sunday.

1745.7 miles to the West is one of my favorite places: Las Vegas. I bring up Las Vegas because the neon signage in Vegas are so amazing. The history of neon in Las Vegas is a blog within itself. One of my favorite scenes of the movie “Vegas Vacation” is when Audrey and Cousin Vicky are in the sign graveyard.

You can actually tour this sight, learn about restoration projects and plan a visit

http://www.neonmuseum.org/index.html

It is definitely on my things to do list when I hit up Vegas next time.

Back in Atlanta, where preservation seems to be the last thing on anybodys mind we have so many great signs that could be restored. Ultimately the signs become in disrepair, unsafe and eventually scrapped.


The neon is no longer on this sign, but the artwork is GREAT!

Below is my favorite sign. The shoe store still exists. I went back at night and the sign does not function.

Mary Macs, a staple on Ponce de Leon Avenue

This one didn't make the cut, time for spa ped... a steal at $14.99!

My favorite eatiery on Ponce

The neon is hidden amongst the downtown landscape that has been butchered over the years. Sports City is out control with those colors!

Top Quality!

The ride over to Ebenezer at 2:00AM was a bit uneasy I will admit. I was on a spirit ride on the scooter, and just had to have that picture.

Followed by the Clairmont (This picture was taken years ago when the signed functioned and the hotel was open. The hotel is for sale now) It can be purchased for 6.5 million dollars. Best of all I love the school bus in the photo. Hope the kiddies had fun with Blondie!

I guess that really sums it up on neon advertising signs of Atlanta. I really enjoyed this blog, I found myself a tourist of my own city and it took me a couple months to collect all the pictures I wanted to use.... Until next time!.......