Dinkel's Bakery (Gone)
Chicago, IL
Photo courtesy Jim Zahniser

For decades, the Dinkel's Bakery blade sign was one of the best-known sights along Lincoln Avenue. Hanging high above the sidewalk, the classic neon sign was impossible to miss and did a great job of tempting passersby to stop in for a donut, coffee cake, or one of the bakery's many other treats. 07-11

Founded in 1922, Dinkel's became one of Chicago's best-loved neighborhood bakeries, serving generations of customers with traditional German and European baked goods. The vintage blade sign, installed in the 1940s, became just as recognizable as the bakery itself and remained a familiar landmark for more than 75 years.

Like so many longtime family businesses, Dinkel's eventually reached the end of an era. The bakery closed in 2022 after a remarkable 100-year run, bringing an end to a place that held a lot of memories for Chicagoans.

UPDATE: The original bakery closed in 2022, and the famous blade sign was removed and sold at auction. Plans for the site call for preserving the historic building facade as part of a new mixed-use development, honoring one of Chicago's classic neighborhood bakeries. 07-26

Sleber
La Salle, IL
Photo courtesy Kelly Sullivan

Not sure what type of business this is. Sleber's features a fun sign though the lettering looks like its been changed over the years. 07-11

Sometimes it's the signs you know the least about that end up being the most interesting. Sleber is one of those places.

It looks like the lettering has been changed over the years, giving the sign a layered look that hints at a long history. Whether it was updated for a new owner or simply refreshed over time is anyone's guess, but the changes only add to its character.

Anyone recognize the name and can fill in the story behind the sign? Until then, it's just another roadside mystery.

Mae's Hair
Rockford, IL
Photo courtesy Kelly Sullivan

Imagine pulling into Mae's Hair Care and finding out the only hairstyle they offered was the one on the sign. I don't think business would last very long! Fortunately, the sign is all in good fun and has enough personality to make you smile as you drive by. 07-11

It's not often you come across a sign quite like this. The oversized profile has become the shop's trademark and is one of those roadside signs that's easy to remember long after you've passed it. It may not be filled with flashing neon or bright colors, but it doesn't need to be. The design is simple, distinctive, and gets your attention just the same.

Signs like this remind me that some of the best roadside advertising doesn't have to be elaborate. Sometimes all it takes is a clever design and a little imagination to create something people remember.

UPDATE: Mae's Hair Care is still in business, and the fun roadside sign continues welcoming customers in Rockford. 07-26

Hill's Electric Motor Services
Sterling, IL
Photo courtesy Kelly Sullivan

There was a time when just about every town had an electric motor shop, and Hill's Electric is a great reminder of those days. The vintage sign has plenty of character and looks like it has been greeting customers for decades. 07-11

There's nothing flashy about it, and that's part of the appeal. It's a straightforward business sign that has earned its weathered look over the years. Whether you needed an electric motor repaired or simply happened to be driving by, it was one of those signs that let you know you'd found a longtime local business.

It's nice to see signs like this still hanging where they belong. While so many old commercial signs have disappeared over the years, Hill's Electric continues to advertise the same type of business it was built for all those years ago.

UPDATE: Hill's Electric Motor Service is still serving the Sauk Valley area, and the vintage sign continues to welcome customers to the shop. 07-26

IOOF
IL
Photo courtesy Kelly Sullivan

Here's a classic IOOF sign somewhere in Illinois. The exact town wasn't recorded, but the familiar initials mark the Independent Order of Odd Fellows. It's the kind of modest lodge sign that's easy to overlook until you start watching for them. 07-11

The organization's American roots date to 1819. Odd Fellows lodges provided fellowship, charitable assistance, and support for members and their families long before many modern social services existed. Their three-link emblem represents Friendship, Love, and Truth—a useful clue when identifying an old hall whose lettering has disappeared.

UPDATE: The location and present condition of this sign remain unknown. Many former Odd Fellows halls have found new uses while retaining their lodge names or symbols. Hopefully, this Illinois example is still marking its place along the street. 07-26

Palmer's Beloit Nurseries (Gone)
Beloit, WI
Photo courtesy Kelly Sullivan

The sign at Palmer's Beloit Nurseries couldn't have fit the business any better. With its gardening-inspired design, it looked right at home among the flowers, shrubs, and trees waiting for new homes. 07-11

Not every business went the extra mile when it came to advertising, but this one did. Instead of a standard sign, Palmer's created something that reflected what they sold. It wasn't flashy, but it had plenty of personality and was a perfect fit for a longtime neighborhood nursery.

Signs like this have become harder to find as older businesses disappear and properties change hands. They add a little character to the roadside and are a reminder of a time when businesses often had signs designed specifically for them instead of ordering something from a catalog.

UPDATE: Palmer's Beloit Nurseries has closed, and the unique nursery-themed sign has since been removed. 07-26

Ace of Diamonds (Gone)
Rockford, IL
Photo courtesy Kelly Sullivan

The Ace of Diamonds sign had definitely seen better days. Age had caught up with it, giving the old marquee a worn appearance that somehow only added to its character. It looked like the kind of sign that had been standing watch over the property for a very long time. 07-11

The Ace of Diamonds was much more than just a neighborhood tavern. Over the years it became a popular gathering place for dinners, dancing, wedding receptions, and softball tournaments at the adjoining ball fields. For many people in the Rockford area, it was one of those places where a lot of good memories were made.

Like so many old roadside businesses, time eventually caught up with it. The building was destroyed by a fire in 1996, bringing an end to a local landmark that had welcomed visitors for more than two decades.

UPDATE: The Ace of Diamonds is long gone, and so is its weathered roadside sign. Today the property remains vacant, making this photo a reminder of another piece of Rockford that's disappeared. 07-26

Bean Shoe Service (Gone)
Beloit, WI
Photo courtesy Kelly Sullivan

The sign at Bean Shoe Service couldn't have been more appropriate. Shaped like a giant shoe, it let everyone know exactly what kind of business was inside long before they reached the front door. It's the kind of sign you don't see much anymore. 07-11

Custom-shaped signs like this always seemed to have a little more personality than the standard box signs that eventually replaced them. Whether you needed a pair of shoes repaired or were simply driving through town, this one was hard to miss.

Bean Shoe Service had been repairing shoes for generations, making it one of those businesses people counted on for years. The shoe-shaped sign became just as much a local landmark as the shop itself.

UPDATE: After more than a century in business, Bean Shoe Service has closed, shutting its doors around 2025. The familiar shoe-shaped sign has also been removed, bringing an end to another classic roadside landmark. 07-26