Grain Belt Beer
Minneapolis, MN
Photo courtesy Matthew Hands

The giant Grain Belt Beer bottle cap has been catching eyes in Minneapolis since 1941. Its clever artwork makes the cap appear to project outward, giving passing motorists another reason to look twice.

Originally installed above the Marigold Ballroom, the sign moved to Nicollet Island in 1950. At roughly 50 feet wide and 40 feet tall, it became a familiar sight near the Hennepin Avenue Bridge. That’s quite a bottle cap to find above the Mississippi. 08-17

UPDATE: Following years of darkness, the sign was restored and relit in late 2017. LED lighting recreates its historic glow, keeping this Minneapolis landmark in the nighttime skyline. 06-26

Nate's Clothing (Closed)
Minneapolis, MN
Photo courtesy Matthew Hands

Here's an old vintage sign for Nate's Clothing, where "Fashion Is First!" Hey, that's a jingle! For decades, the green-and-white neon marquee welcomed downtown shoppers looking for a new suit, sport coat, or just a little help looking sharp. It became one of the most recognizable storefront signs in Minneapolis.

Founded in 1916 by Nathan Witebsky, Nate's Clothing built a loyal following by offering quality menswear at reasonable prices. The family-owned business spent generations serving Twin Cities customers, while its projecting neon sign became a familiar sight for anyone walking along North 4th Street.

Independent clothing stores like Nate's were once a fixture of downtown business districts across America. Long before shopping malls and big-box retailers, stores like this helped generations of young men pick out everything from their first interview suit to wedding attire. 08-17

UPDATE: Nate's Clothing closed in 2008 after more than 90 years in business. The familiar green-and-white neon sign was removed, but a faded ghost sign remains on the side of the neighboring Robitshek Building, offering one last reminder of a longtime Minneapolis institution where, as the slogan promised, "Fashion Is First!" 06-26

Wyman Building
Minneapolis, MN
Photo courtesy Matthew Hands

Check out the black lettering against the white background at the Wyman Building. Okay, I’m reaching here, but the building has plenty of history behind its name.

Designed by Long and Kees and completed in 1896, it housed wholesale dry goods firm Wyman, Partridge & Company. Enclosed bridges connecting a 1910 addition across the alley are often credited as Minneapolis’ first skyways. Quite an early start on avoiding the weather. 08-17

UPDATE: The Wyman remains in office use within the Minneapolis Warehouse Historic District, retaining architectural details and the familiar name overlooking the street. 06-26

Case
Belle Plaine, IA
Photo courtesy Don Gardner

This vintage Case sign still stands guard over Belle Plaine. Ever wonder what the bird has to do with the sign? It's actually "Old Abe," a real bald eagle that served as the mascot of a Wisconsin regiment during the Civil War and was named in honor of President Abraham Lincoln.

J.I. Case founder Jerome Increase Case was so impressed by the eagle's story that he adopted Old Abe as the company's trademark after the war. Before long, the eagle perched atop a globe became one of the most recognizable symbols in American agriculture, appearing on tractors, threshing machines, and Case dealership signs across the country.

Today, signs like this are becoming increasingly hard to find. Even for folks who have never driven a Case tractor, the familiar eagle still evokes a time when every farm town had its own equipment dealer proudly displaying one of these colorful roadside markers. 08-17

UPDATE: The historic Case sign remains standing along Highway 21 in Belle Plaine. Although the sign shows its age after decades of exposure to the Iowa weather, Old Abe continues to keep watch over the town, making this a favorite stop for roadside photographers and tractor enthusiasts alike. 06-26

Bell's Amusement Park (Gone)
Tulsa, OK
Photo courtesy Steve Felder

Bell's Amusement Park gave Tulsa visitors an unusual welcome: its glowing entrance sign hung directly on the wooden framework of the Zingo roller coaster.

Opened in 1968 and designed by John C. Allen, Zingo became the park’s signature attraction. After dark, the coaster, Ferris wheel and illuminated midway made Bell’s quite a sight along 21st Street. Summer entertainment came with plenty of roadside glow. 08-17

UPDATE: Bell’s closed after the 2006 season when its Expo Square lease was not renewed. Zingo and the sign were dismantled, and the site became fairgrounds parking. Later plans for a new park in Broken Arrow did not materialize, leaving generations of Tulsans with memories of the original. 06-26