Indian Village Souvenirs
St Ignace, MI Photo courtesy Alan Culley
Here are some of the neon signs that can be found at the Indian Village in St Ignace, MI. The neon teepee as well as the bow and arrow figure are quite eye-catching to say the least. Also check out the image of the twin teepees. 12-07
The neon is the real attraction. The blinking teepee and flashing arrows seem to come alive after dark, creating exactly the kind of eye-catching display that made roadside America so much fun during the family vacation era. It's colorful, playful, and just a little over the top—in the best possible way.
The twin wooden teepees outside only add to the experience. Long before stepping inside the gift shop, visitors already know they're someplace different. It's the kind of roadside architecture that was built to entertain as much as advertise, and that's a big part of why it has remained such a recognizable landmark.
For countless families heading to the Upper Peninsula or the Mackinac Bridge, a stop here became part of the vacation. Kids could climb around the teepees, parents browsed for souvenirs, and nearly everyone walked out carrying something they probably didn't know they needed.
Indian Village Souvenirs
St Ignace, MI Photo courtesy Alan Culley
It also brings back memories of a time when every tourist town tried to outdo the next with giant fiberglass statues, animated signs, and oversized attractions. Long before social media gave travelers something to photograph, places like Indian Village were already creating unforgettable roadside moments.
There's something wonderfully nostalgic about attractions like this. They're reminders of when the journey was just as important as the destination, and pulling over at a quirky gift shop was simply part of the adventure.
Indian Village has been welcoming travelers since 1927, making it one of the longtime fixtures along the St. Ignace tourist strip. Although the current building replaced the original in 1977, it kept the same spirit that has drawn generations of visitors heading to and from the Mackinac Bridge.
Walk inside and the roadside fun continues. The cedar-covered exterior and birch bark-lined interior help give the shop a rustic Up North feel, making it more than just another souvenir stop. It's easy to understand why so many families have made this part of their Upper Peninsula tradition.
Indian Village Neon Tee Pees
St. Ignace, MI Photo courtesy Alan Culley
Like nearby Castle Rock Curios, Indian Village represents a time when roadside attractions competed for attention with imaginative signs instead of giant electronic billboards. Places like this helped turn the journey itself into part of the vacation.
UPDATE: Indian Village continues to welcome visitors each tourist season, and the classic neon teepee, animated bow-and-arrow figure, and twin teepees remain some of the most recognizable roadside sights in St. Ignace. 07-26
Dan Purvis Drugs (Gone)
New Haven, IN Photo courtesy Alan Culley
Rexall Drugs was once a familiar sight in downtown New Haven, just east of Fort Wayne. If you grew up around here, there's a good chance you remember Dan Purvis Drugs. 12-07
Like many hometown drug stores, it was more than just a pharmacy. The Rexall sign out front and the soda fountain inside made it a favorite stop for generations of locals, especially students from nearby New Haven High School who came by for a cherry phosphate after class.
The store was opened in the mid-1950s by pharmacist Dan Purvis and served the community for more than 40 years before closing in 1998. As larger chain pharmacies expanded, another classic neighborhood drug store quietly faded into history.
UPDATE: Dan Purvis Drugs closed in 1998, and the Rexall sign has long since been removed. The building still stands, but one of New Haven's longtime gathering places is now just a memory. 07-26
GM Dealership
Cheboygan, MI Photo courtesy Alan Culley
Here are some of the neon from a GM Dealership, located in Cheboygan, MI. Not sure if the dealership is still in business today. 11-07
There was a time when nearly every town had its own local GM dealer, and the signs were almost as memorable as the cars. Bright neon welcomed customers looking for a new Chevrolet, Pontiac, Buick, Oldsmobile, Cadillac, or GMC, while the service department stayed busy keeping the family's old car on the road.
The sign here has that unmistakable mid-century dealership look. Even if you weren't in the market for a new car, it was hard not to notice as you drove past. At night, the glowing neon gave the place a little extra life and made it stand out from the rest of the block.
Cadillac
Cheboygan, MI Photo courtesy Alan Culley
Dealerships like this were often gathering places, too. New model introductions drew crowds, and on weekends it wasn't unusual for people to wander the lot just to see what had arrived. For kids, climbing into a brand-new car and pretending to drive home in it was half the fun.
It's easy to forget just how many dealerships once lined America's highways. Every manufacturer wanted to make a statement, and their signs reflected that. Some featured giant rooftop letters, others had rotating emblems or towering poles, but almost all of them relied on neon to grab your attention.
GMC Trucks
Cheboygan, MI Photo courtesy Alan Culley
As dealerships modernized, many of those classic signs disappeared. Corporate branding became more standardized, older buildings were remodeled, and one by one the unique local touches gave way to today's familiar blue-and-silver facades.
The dealership continues to operate today under new ownership as Bishop GMC, although I'm not sure if any of the vintage neon shown here has survived. Hopefully it's still around somewhere, because signs like these are becoming harder to find every year.
GM Drive
Cheboygan, MI Photo courtesy Alan Culley
UPDATE: A GM dealership is still operating at this location today, but I'm not sure if the classic neon signs are still standing. 07-26
