Roselyn Bakery (Gone)
Indianapolis, IN
Photo and info courtesy Alan Culley

If you grew up around Indianapolis, chances are you remember Roselyn Bakery. Their little neighborhood stores seemed to be everywhere, and the distinctive roadside signs made them easy to spot from down the street. 12-07

Founded in 1943, Roselyn became a local institution with dozens of locations throughout the Indianapolis area. Whether you stopped in for donuts, cookies, or a birthday cake, the stores were a familiar part of everyday life for generations of Hoosiers.

Sadly, the entire chain closed in 1999, bringing an end to one of Indianapolis' best-known hometown businesses. While a few of the old buildings still survive in new uses, most of the familiar bakery signs have disappeared. Fortunately, at least one original Roselyn sign was saved and is now on display at the American Sign Museum in Cincinnati.

UPDATE: Although the bakery stores are gone, the Roselyn name lives on through Roselyn Recipe baked goods found in grocery stores. 07-26

Castle Rock Curios
St Ignace, MI
Photo courtesy Alan Culley

Long before reaching the famous limestone formation, visitors are greeted by the wonderful sign at Castle Rock Curios. Shaped like the rock itself, it's one of those roadside signs that's every bit as memorable as the attraction it advertises. 12-07

Castle Rock has been welcoming travelers since the late 1920s. After a climb of about 170 steps, visitors are rewarded with sweeping views of the Straits of Mackinac and Lake Huron, making it one of the Upper Peninsula's best-known roadside stops.

The sign is a perfect match for the attraction. Its unique silhouette, bold lettering, and mid-century design capture the fun spirit of the classic family road trip. Add in the giant Paul Bunyan and Babe the Blue Ox statues nearby, and it's easy to see why generations of travelers have pulled over here.

UPDATE: Castle Rock Curios continues to welcome visitors each season, and its distinctive rock-shaped roadside sign still stands out along the highway. 07-26

Leske's Supper Club (Gone)
Madison, WI
Photo courtesy Alan Culley

The glowing neon at Leske's Supper Club was a welcome sight for anyone looking for a classic Wisconsin supper club. Standing at the busy intersection of Monona Drive and the Beltline, the sign invited hungry travelers to pull in for an evening of good food and good company. 01-08

After relocating to this corner in the 1950s, Leske's became a longtime favorite for prime rib, Friday fish fries, and the kind of relaxed atmosphere that made Wisconsin supper clubs so popular. The neon marquee was every bit as familiar as the restaurant itself.

Like many supper clubs, Leske's wasn't just a place to eat. It was where families gathered for special occasions, friends met over cocktails, and regulars returned week after week. The sign out front became part of those memories.

UPDATE: Leske's closed in 2001, and the building now houses Tully's II Food & Spirits. The old neon sign has been removed, but the location continues to serve customers under a new name. 07-26

Marion Camera (Gone)
Marion, IN
Photo courtesy Alan Culley

The neon lettering for the Marion Camera store in Marion used to be a welcome sight. Marion Camera closed about 5 years ago and is now gone. Many thanks to Alan Culley for info. 01-08

The storefront's script neon sign had plenty of personality and fit perfectly with the downtown streetscape. It was the kind of neighborhood business where the sign became just as recognizable as the store itself.

By the time this photo was taken, the camera shop had already closed, and before long the old neon sign disappeared as well. Like so many independent camera stores, Marion Camera became another casualty of the digital age.

UPDATE: Marion Camera is gone, and its classic neon sign has been removed. 07-26

Amused Clothing
Lafayette, IN
Photo courtesy Kevin Heggi

The colorful neon at Amused Clothing is hard to miss. Hanging above the stairway leading down to the shop, the bright sign is a clever play on words that perfectly fits this longtime used clothing store. 10-08

Originally opened in 1986 as The American Used Clothing Company, the business eventually shortened its name to "Amused," giving it a fun identity that's easy to remember. The colorful neon only adds to the store's personality.

Tucked beneath street level near Purdue University, the shop has become a favorite stop for students looking for vintage clothing, records, and other unique finds. It's the kind of place where the sign draws you in just as much as what's waiting inside.

UPDATE: Amused Clothing is still going strong, and the colorful neon sign continues to welcome shoppers down the stairs. 07-26

Bridal Boutique (Gone)
Hobart, IN
Photo courtesy Kevin Heggi

The glowing window sign at Bridal Boutique added a little extra charm to this longtime downtown Hobart storefront. It may not have been a giant roadside marquee, but it was just enough to catch the eye of people strolling or driving down Main Street. 10-08

For more than 40 years, the shop helped generations of brides find the perfect dress. The welcoming storefront became a familiar part of downtown before the business moved to larger quarters in nearby Valparaiso.

Simple window signs like this often go unnoticed, but they helped give small downtown business districts their character. A little neon could make an ordinary storefront feel warm and inviting.

UPDATE: The original Hobart location is gone, and the window neon sign disappeared when the business relocated in 2010. Today, the shop continues to operate as Catherine's Bridal Boutique in Valparaiso. 07-26

Griffith Furniture (Gone)
Griffith, IN
Photo courtesy Barney Slifer

The glowing blade sign at Griffith Furniture was a familiar sight in downtown Griffith. Hanging over the sidewalk with bright neon spelling out "FURNITURE," it was exactly the kind of sign that gave a downtown business district its character. 10-08

The family-owned store had been serving the community since 1945, helping generations of local residents furnish their homes. Along the way, the vertical sign became just as recognizable as the business itself.

Blade signs like this were designed to be seen by both motorists and pedestrians, making them a perfect fit for a traditional downtown street. At night, the glowing border and bold lettering made it stand out from blocks away.

UPDATE: Griffith Furniture has closed, and the vintage neon blade sign has been removed. Another classic downtown landmark has quietly faded into history. 07-26

Avanti Limousines (Rem.)
Highland, IN
Photo courtesy Barney Slifer

The first thing that catches your eye at Avanti Limousines isn't a building, it's the glowing neon stretched across the entrance. Spanning the driveway like a welcome arch, the sign makes a memorable first impression. 10-08

Since opening in 1994, Avanti Limousines has provided transportation throughout Northwest Indiana and the Chicago area. The neon entrance is a fitting touch for a company that's all about making an arrival feel a little more special.

Unlike a typical roadside sign, this one becomes part of the property itself, greeting customers as they drive beneath it. It's a simple idea that gives the business a unique look.

UPDATE: Avanti Limousines is still in business, but I'm not sure if the neon archway remains at the entrance. It appears the arch is there but neon has been removed. 07-26