Wiegel and Kilgallen Realtors (Gone)
Oak Lawn, IL
Photo courtesy Bruce R. Cassi / 2007

Federal Sign Company built this sign for the Wiegel and Kilgallen Realtors many years ago. It's just begging to be repaired. Only the last three letters in each name light up. Many thanks to Bruce R. Cassi for info. 04-07

Founded in 1939, Wiegel and Kilgallen became one of the best-known real estate firms in Chicago's southwest suburbs, helping shape neighborhoods throughout Oak Lawn and Evergreen Park. Their headquarters on 95th Street was just as recognizable as the company itself, thanks in large part to this classic roadside sign.

UPDATE: The real estate office has closed, and the building has been repurposed. Unfortunately, the old Federal Sign Company sign has been removed, making this another memorable piece of Chicago-area neon that's now gone. 07-26

Goldcamps (Rem.)
Ironton, OH
Photo courtesy Rick McOmber

Even with the neon missing, the old Goldcamp Hardware sign still makes an impression. Wrapped around the corner of this historic building in Ironton, OH, the large letters hint at how striking it must have looked when the neon was still glowing. By the time this photo was taken, only the sign itself remained, with the tubing long gone. 03-07

The Goldcamp family served the Ironton community for more than a century before the business closed in 1993. While the hardware store is gone, the building has survived, and the old sign continues to give the corner a little personality. Sometimes the empty outlines where the neon once ran tell just as much of the story as the lights themselves.

UPDATE: The historic building remains standing, and the wraparound Goldcamp sign is still attached to the facade. The neon is gone, but it's nice to see the sign itself has managed to survive. 07-26

Capitol Fur Co. (Gone)
Lansing, MI
Photo courtesy Richard Weiss

Lansing is.. er was home to Capitol Furs. This sign went to a private collector when the place closed in '05 or '06. Until than it was a complete unaltered 1940's or 1950's era storefront. Many thanks to Richard Weiss for info. 03-07

For decades, Capitol Fur Co. gave downtown Lansing a classic mid-century look. The projecting neon sign and untouched storefront looked like they had stepped right out of the 1940s or 1950s, making this one of those places that was just as interesting to photograph as it was to shop.

Founded in 1922, Capitol Fur served generations of customers and proudly called itself Lansing's oldest exclusive furrier. By the time the business closed in 2006, the storefront had remained remarkably unchanged, preserving a piece of downtown that had become increasingly rare.

UPDATE: The business is gone, and the storefront has been repurposed, but the famous neon sign survives in a private collection. 07-26

Wolf's Bakery
Evergreen Park, IL
Photo courtesy Bruce R. Cassi / 2004

The Wolf family operated this bakery called Wolf's Bakery for close to 50 years. In 1999, the Wolfs retired and the business was sold. The neon was removed and the sign was sprayed over with primer. I was crushed to see this sign go. My grandmother worked there in the 70's. Days later and to my amazement the original base color of yellow and maroon had reappeared. The baker outline was repainted and a few days later the lettering was masked off and repainted in its original form. All the light bulb sockets were repaired or replaced. What a pleasure it was to see this sign restored when so many are being torn down. Many thanks to Bruce R. Cassi for info. 04-07

Founded in 1939, Wolf's Bakery has been a South Side tradition for generations, and today the restored sign once again welcomes customers along 95th Street. It's proof that sometimes these old landmarks really do get a second chance.

UPDATE: Wolf's Bakery remains a neighborhood favorite, and the beautifully restored sign continues to shine over the storefront. It's one of the best examples of a classic sign that was saved instead of lost. 07-26