Elephant Car Wash (Demolished)
Seattle, WA
Photo courtesy Chris Richey

Here's a nice shot of the Elephant Car Wash in Seattle, WA. One of the family of Elephant Car washes, this one still appears to be in great condition. The giant pink Elephant Car Wash sign was one of those Seattle landmarks you couldn't miss. Standing high above the corner, the smiling elephant welcomed drivers with flashing lights and a little bit of roadside fun.

The downtown car wash opened in 1956, years before the Space Needle transformed the neighborhood. Its rotating neon elephant quickly became one of the city's most recognizable signs, making the car wash as famous as the service it provided.

For decades, locals and visitors alike looked for the pink elephant while driving through Seattle. Even if you didn't need a car wash, it was hard not to smile as you passed by.

UPDATE: The downtown Elephant Car Wash closed in 2020, and the building has been demolished. Fortunately, the famous rotating pink elephant was saved, restored, and is now preserved at Seattle's Museum of History & Industry (MOHAI). A smaller elephant sign from the site was also restored and is on display nearby. 07-26

Black Bird
Medford, OR
Photo courtesy Dave & Debra van Hulsteyn

If you've ever driven through Medford, chances are you've spotted the giant Black Bird standing watch over the shopping center. At Christmastime, the already unforgettable roadside mascot gets dressed for the holidays, making an even bigger impression on passing motorists. 03-06

The towering fiberglass bird has been welcoming shoppers since 1965, when founder Lee Hobbs built it himself to advertise his new army surplus store. Standing nearly 30 feet tall, it's become one of Southern Oregon's best-known roadside attractions and a favorite stop for travelers with a camera.

One of the fun traditions is seeing what the bird is wearing. Over the years it's been dressed for Christmas, local events, and other special occasions, giving regular visitors something new to look forward to every time they drive by.

UPDATE: The Black Bird still stands proudly in front of the shopping center and remains one of Medford's most recognizable roadside landmarks. 07-26