You don't have to be a veteran to appreciate a sign like this. The classic VFW emblem has become a familiar sight in small towns all across America, and the one in Villa Grove has a timeless look that fits the community perfectly.
It's one of those signs that doesn't rely on flashy neon or oversized lettering to get your attention. The distinctive VFW cross is recognizable from a distance and has welcomed veterans and visitors alike for generations.
UPDATE: The Walter Jones VFW Post is still active, and the classic sign continues to stand outside the post in downtown Villa Grove. 07-26
B.P.O.E. (Rem.)
Jacksonville, IL Photo courtesy Don Gardner
The B.P.O.E. sign in Jacksonville was a classic downtown landmark. Its vertical neon lettering and illuminated elk head made it stand out along the street and represented an era when fraternal organizations were a big part of community life. 04-06
Jacksonville Elks Lodge No. 682 has served the area for well over a century. The lodge eventually relocated to its current home on West Morgan Street, where it remains active today. Unfortunately, the vintage downtown sign didn't make the move.
UPDATE: The Jacksonville Elks are still active, but the classic downtown neon sign has been removed. 07-26
Village Bake Shop
Chicago, IL Photo courtesy Kelly Coalier
There's something about an old sign with a built-in clock that makes you look twice. Whether it was keeping perfect time or not, the Village Bake Shop sign stood out along Belmont Avenue with its classic mid-century styling and familiar neighborhood charm.
For years, this was the sign that welcomed customers stopping in for fresh breads, pastries, coffee cakes, and other bakery favorites. Like many neighborhood bakeries, Village Bake Shop became part of the daily routine for countless people, and the sign was just as recognizable as the goodies waiting inside.
UPDATE: This sign appears to be updated with a new business that has moved in. Unfortunately the clock has been covered. Many thanks to Dennis Dixson for update. 01-06
UPDATE: The Village Bake Shop later became Smakowski's Bakery, which reused the same sign after covering the clock with its phone number. That sign has since been removed following the bakery's closure. 07-26
Smakowski's Bakery (Gone)
Chicago, IL Photo courtesy Dennis Dixson
Check out this roadside sign for Smakowski's Bakery in Chicago, IL. This sign looks familiar to the Village Bake Shop sign and appears to be the new business that moved in. The clock that hadn't been working appears to be replaced or covered by the phone number to the business. Many thanks to Dennis Dixson for info. 01-06
It's a neat reminder that roadside signs often evolved along with the businesses they advertised. Rather than starting from scratch, new owners would repaint, modify, or update an existing sign, leaving little clues to what had been there before. In this case, the original sign still shines through despite its makeover.
Whether you stopped in for fresh bread, pastries, or other baked treats, the old sign remained one of the landmarks along Belmont Avenue. It may have had a new name, but it still carried a bit of the neighborhood's history with it.
UPDATE: The Chicago bakery has since closed, and the familiar roadside sign has been removed. 07-26
Fountain Square
Indianapolis, IN Photo courtesy Emily Steele
Look up over Fountain Square in Indianapolis and the giant Coca-Cola sign steals the show. The familiar script and surrounding rooftop billboard framework recall a time when advertisers competed for attention above the storefronts as well as along the sidewalk.
The Fountain Square Theatre opened in May 1928, anchoring a busy neighborhood entertainment district. Its original rooftop theatre sign stood about 40 feet high, with eight-foot letters visible from a considerable distance. Although the Coca-Cola display belongs to a different advertising chapter, it continues that tradition of making the skyline part of the sales pitch.
UPDATE: The Coca-Cola sign and rooftop advertising structures remain recognizable features of Fountain Square. Their exact installation dates haven't been established, but together they give this historic corner plenty of roadside character. It's another good reason to look above the shop windows while exploring the neighborhood. 07-26
Schuler's Bakery (Closed)
Springfield, OH Photo courtesy Sol Bermann
Traveling along old Route 40 through Springfield, it's hard not to notice the tall Schuler's Bakery marquee rising above East Main Street. It's one of those classic bakery signs that has been welcoming hungry travelers and local customers for generations, and it still has the kind of hometown charm that's becoming harder to find. 08-06
Schuler's has been a Springfield favorite since the late 1930s, earning a loyal following for its donuts and other fresh baked treats. Whether you were making a special trip or just happened to be passing through town, the big roadside sign made it easy to know where to pull over for something sweet.
I remember stopping here during one of my road trips when I needed a break from the drive. A cup of coffee and a few bakery treats were just what I needed before getting back on the road. Good stuff.
UPDATE: Sad to hear the original East Main Street bakery closed in 2022 because of structural problems with the building. The vintage roadside sign still stands, and Schuler's Bakery continues to operate from its other Springfield locations. 07-26
Grande Florist (Gone)
Indianapolis, IN Photo courtesy Emily Steele
There's no mistaking where to turn when a giant boomerang arrow points the way. Grande Florist had one of those unforgettable roadside signs that was impossible to ignore, looping overhead before directing customers toward the flower shop. It's the kind of sign that makes you smile even if you weren't planning to buy flowers.
Florists don't often end up with memorable roadside signs, but this one certainly did. The oversized arrow gave the business plenty of personality and made it one of those neighborhood landmarks that people probably remembered long after driving past.
Whether you were stopping for a bouquet, a corsage, or flowers for a special occasion, the sign did exactly what it was designed to do. It got your attention and pointed you in the right direction.
UPDATE: The flower shop is gone, and the property has been redeveloped. Unfortunately, the unique boomerang arrow sign disappeared along with the business. 07-26
Elks Club (Gone)
Logansport, IN Photo courtesy Emily Steele
At first glance, it looks like the Elks are still meeting here. The old Elks Club lettering remains proudly displayed on the front of the building, making it easy to believe the lodge is still right where it's has always been. That's one of the things I enjoy about old signs—they often outlast the businesses and organizations they once served.
Take a closer look and you'll also notice the building's clock, another reminder of the structure's long history. Together, the sign and clock give this stately old building plenty of character and make it stand out in downtown Logansport.
UPDATE: The Elks Lodge has since moved to a newer location after this location was transitioned to residential apartments. 07-26
VFW
B.P.O.E. (Rem.)
Fountain Square
Schuler's Bakery (Closed)
Grande Florist (Gone)
Elks Club (Gone)
