Gravois Auto Top and Seat Covers (Closed)
St. Louis, MO
Photo by RoadsidePeek.com

Driving along old Route 66 in St. Louis, it's hard not to notice the giant Gravois Auto Top and Seat Covers sign towering above Gravois Avenue. The sweeping arrow and bold lettering were designed to catch the attention of passing motorists, pointing the way to a shop that specialized in making cars look their best.

Back in the day, businesses like this were everywhere. Whether you wanted new upholstery, a convertible top, or custom seat covers, neighborhood shops could make your car look almost factory fresh again. The oversized sign was a perfect fit, advertising the business with all the flair of the mid-century automobile era.

The business itself may be gone, but the sign still stands as a reminder of a time when specialized automotive shops lined America's highways and city streets. Even without its glowing neon, it's still one of those signs that's hard to drive past without taking a second look.

UPDATE: The upholstery shop closed in 2022 after nearly 70 years in business. The building has since been repurposed, but the familiar Auto Seat Covers sign continues to stand along old Route 66. 07-26

Westside Clothing Store (Gone)
Bloomington, IL
Photo by RoadsidePeek.com

The weathered sign out front tells you this place has been around awhile. Even with the rust beginning to take over, the old Westside Clothing Store sign still had plenty of character and looked right at home along Washington Street.

Stores like this were once a familiar part of neighborhoods across the Midwest, where generations of families stopped in for everyday clothing and work wear. The sign may not have been flashy, but it didn't have to be. It had earned its place over the years and became just another part of the streetscape that people expected to see.

UPDATE: The longtime clothing store closed in 2012 after more than a century in business. The building has been given a new life, but the old roadside sign has since been removed. 07-26

Dick Herm Farm
Washington, IL
Photo courtesy Don Gardner

Looking to ship a boar to Dick Herm Farm? Then just follow the directions on this great old roadside sign. It's probably one of those signs that made just about everyone do a double take the first time they drove past it.

Out in farm country, signs like this served a purpose. Long before GPS, a simple roadside arrow was often all you needed to point truckers, farmers, and visitors in the right direction. They weren't designed to be works of art, but years later they've become memorable pieces of roadside Americana.

Whether you knew who Dick Herm was or not, this sign certainly got your attention. Sometimes the simplest signs end up being the ones you remember the longest.

UPDATE: The sign is long gone, but it's still one of those wonderfully unique roadside sights that would have been hard to forget. 07-26

Daley Paint (Gone)
Madison,, IL
Photo courtesy Don Gardner

Daley Paint was one of those neighborhood businesses that seemed like it had always been there. The old roadside sign had plenty of character and let everyone know exactly what they would find inside. It may not have been flashy, but it had the kind of honest, hardworking look that fit the business perfectly.

For years, Daley's supplied local customers in Madison with paint, wallpaper, and decorating supplies, becoming a familiar stop for homeowners tackling everything from a single room to a full house. Stores like this were once found in just about every town, serving generations of loyal customers who preferred a local paint shop over the big chain stores.

UPDATE: The business is gone, and the old storefront has been demolished. Today, all that's left is an empty lot where this longtime neighborhood landmark once stood. 07-26

Go Kart Racing (Gone)
Chicago, IL
Photo courtesy Don Gardner

Had enough of Chicago traffic? Then maybe it was time to pull off the road and spend a few laps at Go Kart Racinginstead. Even if you weren't planning to race, the colorful marquee was enough to grab your attention and make you wonder what was waiting inside.

Located along busy North Avenue, the track offered motorists a chance to trade traffic jams for a little friendly competition. It's easy to imagine families, teenagers, and anyone needing a break from the daily grind being drawn in by the bright sign and the sound of karts buzzing around the track.

UPDATE: The go-kart track is gone, and the property has been completely redeveloped. Like neighboring Kiddieland, another memorable piece of Chicagoland roadside fun has disappeared. 07-26

Lyons Cave (Gone)
Lyons, IL
Photo courtesy Don Gardner

The first thing you'll notice about Lyons Cave isn't the name—it's the lion. Perched proudly on top of the marquee, the sculpted mascot looks like the little cousin of the famous MGM lion in Las Vegas and gives the sign a personality all its own.

Sitting along old Route 66 on Ogden Avenue, Lyons Cave was one of those places that made road trips a little more interesting. Even if you weren't planning to stop for a meal or a drink, the sign was enough to make you slow down for a better look. You just don't see many roadside signs with a three-dimensional lion keeping watch overhead.

The cave theme didn't stop at the sign. Inside, visitors found an interior designed to resemble a cave, making it one of the more unusual roadside taverns along the Mother Road.

UPDATE: Lyons Cave closed years ago, and both the building and its memorable lion marquee have been heavily altered. Unfortunately, the sculpted lion has disappeared along with the original sign. 07-26

Adler Frames (Closed)
St. Louis, MO
Photo courtesy Kelly Coalier

It's always fun to come across an old sign with a built-in clock, even if it hasn't kept the right time in years. The vintage Adler Frames sign still hangs proudly from the side of the building, reminding everyone of the days when neighborhood businesses weren't afraid to advertise with a little style.

The bold lettering, neon, and clock make this one stand out from the crowd. Whether you were looking for a custom picture frame or simply driving through downtown St. Louis, it would have been hard to miss this classic sign hanging over the street.

Unlike so many old commercial signs, this one managed to survive even after the business itself disappeared. The former factory has been given a new life as apartments, but thankfully the familiar Adler Frames sign remains as a reminder of the building's past.

UPDATE: The building has been converted into loft apartments, and the Adler Frames sign continues to hang outside as one of downtown St. Louis' surviving vintage landmarks. 07-26

Hudson Jewelry (Gone)
Madison, IL
Photo courtesy Don Gardner

Looking for diamonds from a jewelry store with a sign that's a real gem? Then Hudson Jewelry was worth a stop. Between the bright neon, the built-in clock, and the bold lettering, this was one of those signs that was hard to miss while driving through town.

Jewelry stores don't usually have signs with this much personality. Whether you were shopping for an engagement ring, having a watch repaired, or just admiring the sign from the street, Hudson's had a classic look that fit right in with the golden age of roadside advertising.

UPDATE: The original store is gone, but the Hudson's Jewelry sign was saved, and now lights up once again at the It's Electric Route 66 Neon Sign Park in Granite City. It's always great to see one of these old signs given a second chance. 07-26