North Star Bar (Gone)
Fort Wayne, IN Photo courtesy Alan Culley
The North Star Bar had one of those roadside signs that was impossible to overlook. Topped with a bright neon star and surrounded by colorful tubing, it was designed to grab the attention of anyone driving down State Boulevard. 12-07
For years, the North Star was a neighborhood gathering place where locals could stop in for a burger, a tenderloin sandwich, or a cold drink while catching the game. It wasn't fancy, but that's exactly what made places like this special.
Unfortunately, the North Star eventually closed and the building took on a new identity. Along the way, the vintage neon sign that had watched over the parking lot for decades disappeared as well.
UPDATE: The North Star Bar has permanently closed, and the building is now home to another business. Sadly, the distinctive neon star sign that once welcomed customers has also been removed. 07-26
The Acme Tavern
Fort Wayne, IN Photo and info courtesy Alan Culley
Check out the Acme Tavern sign which always brings a smile to travelers passing by. It's hard not to think of Wile E. Coyote and all those ACME gadgets every time you see it. Fortunately, this is one ACME that has stood the test of time. 12-07
The business has been serving Fort Wayne since 1941 and has gone through a few changes over the years, operating as both a neighborhood tavern and family restaurant. It has also seen a couple of ownership changes in recent years, but the historic character of the place has remained.
Best of all, the vintage neon sign is still there. It's a great-looking piece of roadside advertising that continues to light up State Boulevard and reminds you of a time when every neighborhood seemed to have its own corner tavern with a memorable sign out front.
UPDATE: The Acme Bar & Grill remains open under new ownership, and the classic neon sign continues to shine over State Boulevard more than 80 years after the business first opened. 07-26
Flanagan's Pub (Closed)
Wayne, MI Photos courtesy Richard Weiss
The Flanagan's Pub sign is what first caught my attention. Perched up on the roof, it's not your typical tavern sign and does a great job of standing out along Michigan Avenue. 02-08
For years, Flanagan's was a neighborhood pub where locals could stop in for a drink, a meal, and good conversation. The rooftop sign gave the place plenty of personality and made it easy to spot from down the road. Especially when the neon lettering would be glowing on this sign so that both people walking the streets or drivers passing by could see it and be tempted to stop in for the evening.
Unfortunately, the pub has since closed its doors. Whether the rooftop sign is still standing is unclear, but hopefully it managed to survive. It's unique signs like this that help give a place its identity.
UPDATE: Flanagan's Pub has permanently closed. While the building remains, the current status of its distinctive rooftop sign is unknown. 07-26
Flanagan's Pub
Wayne, MI Photos courtesy Richard Weiss
Trail Bar (Demolished)
Dearborn Heights, MI Photos and info courtesy Richard Weiss
The Trail Bar was one of those neighborhood taverns that had a sign you couldn't help but notice. Richard Weiss photographed it after both the building and the vintage marquee had been painted completely white, giving it a look that was a little unusual but still impossible to ignore. 02-08
Located on Ford Road in Dearborn Heights, the Trail Bar served the neighborhood for many years as a classic local watering hole. Even under a coat of white paint, you could still see the character of the old neon sign and imagine how impressive it must have looked when it was fully lit.
Sadly, the bar eventually closed and both the building and its distinctive sign were demolished. Today, the site has been redeveloped, leaving only photographs to remember another piece of roadside history.
UPDATE: The Trail Bar has been demolished, and the property has been redeveloped. Its once-distinctive roadside sign is gone becoming another lost roadside landmark. 07-26
Trail Bar signage standing out
Dearborn Heights, MI Photo courtesy Richard Weiss
Varsity Club Bar (Gone)
Garden City, MI Photo courtesy Richard Weiss
The Varsity Club Bar was another one of those neighborhood places that let its sign do the talking. Richard Weiss captured this classic roadside marquee back in 2008, standing watch over Ford Road and inviting locals inside for a drink. 02-08
Despite being associated with Garden City over the years, the Varsity Club was actually located just across the city line in Dearborn Heights. It was a traditional neighborhood sports bar where regulars gathered for a cold beer, a game on TV, and a familiar face behind the bar.
Like so many taverns from that era, the Varsity Club eventually closed its doors. The sign that once marked the entrance was removed during the transition to new tenants, leaving yet another familiar roadside landmark behind.
UPDATE: The Varsity Club has permanently closed, and the vintage roadside sign has been removed. While the building remains, another classic neighborhood bar is now just a memory. 07-26
Flanagan's Pub (Closed)
Trail Bar (Demolished)
Varsity Club Bar (Gone)
