Breath of Life Mission
Seattle, WA Photo courtesy Chris Richey
The vintage neon sign for the Bread of Life Mission has been a familiar sight in Seattle's Pioneer Square for decades. Topped by a glowing cross, the sign hangs from the corner of the old brick building and stands out among one of the city's most historic neighborhoods.
The mission was founded in 1939 and moved into this building after World War II, where it has continued serving the community ever since. While many of the surrounding storefronts have changed over the years, the old neon sign has remained a constant, quietly lighting the way along Main Street after dark.
UPDATE: Bread of Life Mission continues to operate from its longtime Pioneer Square home, providing shelter and other services. The vintage neon sign still shines over the corner entrance. 07-26
Sports Center (Closed)
Yakima, WA
Photo courtesy Van
After all the eating around town, the Sports Center was the place to head next. You could grab a meal, enjoy a game of pool, or pick up a cigar before taking another lap through downtown Yakima. Watching over it all was "Gus," the famous neon duck hunter whose flashing rifle made this one of Washington's most entertaining roadside signs.
The Sports Center had been welcoming customers since 1912 and became a favorite gathering place for generations of Yakima locals. Whether you stopped in for lunch, a drink, or simply admired the sign from the sidewalk, it was one of those places that seemed to belong to another era. Gus spinning above the street was a sight that many travelers remembered long after leaving town.
UPDATE: The Sports Center closed its doors on July 21, 2026 after the owners decided to reset the business. They hope the closure will be temporary while new management and a new operating plan are put in place. Gus still stands above the building, although the famous neon is currently dark. 07-26
Lewis Chapel
Bremerton, WA Photo courtesy John Spencer
The roadside sign for Lewis Chapel has been a familiar landmark along Kitsap Way for generations. With its tall vertical neon lettering rising above the street, it quietly catches your attention without trying too hard. It isn't the flashiest sign in town, but somehow it fits the peaceful character of the place. Photo courtesy John Spencer.
Lewis Funeral Chapel has been serving the Bremerton community since 1909, making it one of Kitsap County's oldest continuously operating funeral homes. Through the years, countless people have passed beneath the old sign during some of life's most important moments. While much has changed around it, the neon has remained a steady part of the roadside landscape.
UPDATE: Lewis Funeral Chapel continues to serve the Bremerton area, and the vintage neon sign still stands along Kitsap Way, welcoming visitors just as it has for decades. 07-26
Cascade Bearings & Drives (Gone) Union Gap, WA Photo courtesy Van
Not every memorable roadside sign points to a diner or motel. Cascade Bearings & Drives proved that even an industrial supply business could have a sign worth slowing down for. Its colorful mid-1990s design stood out along the road and always seemed like a fitting place to "gather your bearings." Photo courtesy Van.
The business supplied bearings, power transmission parts, and other industrial equipment to customers throughout the Yakima Valley. While it may not have been a typical roadside attraction, the sign had enough personality to earn a place in the collection.
UPDATE: The business has since changed ownership and now operates under a different name. The original Cascade Bearings & Drives sign has been removed. 07-26
Public Market
Seattle, WA Photo courtesy Chris Richey
The big neon letters of the Public Market are one of Seattle's most recognizable sights. Long before you reach the entrance, the towering sign lets you know you've arrived somewhere special. Whether you're visiting at sunrise as vendors begin setting up or later in the day when the sidewalks are packed with people, it's hard to imagine Seattle without it. 11-05
Pike Place Market opened in 1907 after local residents grew tired of paying inflated prices for produce. Farmers were invited to sell directly to the public, and the idea caught on almost immediately. What began as a simple farmers market gradually grew into one of the city's best-loved gathering places.
Market Grill
Seattle, WA Photo courtesy Chris Richey
Today there's something interesting around nearly every corner. Fresh flowers spill onto the sidewalks, produce stands overflow with colorful fruits and vegetables, fishmongers entertain crowds, and the smell of fresh coffee and baked goods drifts through the air. Street musicians add a soundtrack while shoppers wander from one small shop to the next. It's easy to spend hours here without realizing where the time went.
The famous neon signs have watched over all of it for generations. The glowing clock and giant Public Market lettering have appeared in countless photographs, postcards, television shows, and movies, becoming symbols of Seattle recognized around the world. Day or night, they're among the city's most photographed landmarks.
University Sea Food
Seattle, WA Photo courtesy Chris Richey
The market almost disappeared during the urban renewal era of the 1960s, when demolition seemed like a real possibility. Thanks to a determined community effort, the market was preserved instead, allowing future generations to experience the same lively atmosphere that has welcomed visitors for more than a century.
UPDATE: Pike Place Market remains one of Seattle's busiest attractions, filled with local farmers, merchants, restaurants, and specialty shops. The famous neon signs continue to shine above the entrance, welcoming visitors just as they have for generations. 07-26
Puetz Golf
Seattle, WA Photo courtesy John Spencer
You don't have to play golf to appreciate the giant sign at Puetz Golf. Towering above Aurora Avenue, the oversized arrow, golf ball, and bold lettering were designed to catch the eye of drivers cruising along Highway 99. It has been doing exactly that for generations.
Puetz Golf opened in 1945 and has become a familiar stop for golfers throughout the Seattle area. Behind the pro shop is a large driving range where beginners and longtime golfers alike have worked on their swing, while the towering roadside sign has quietly become one of Aurora's most recognizable commercial landmarks.
Like so many businesses along old Highway 99, Puetz understood the value of a big sign. It had to stand out among the motels, restaurants, and auto dealerships that once lined the route, and this one certainly did.
UPDATE: Puetz Golf remains open at its longtime Aurora Avenue location, and the giant roadside sign continues to welcome golfers passing through north Seattle. 07-26
Sports Center (Closed)
Lewis Chapel
Cascade Bearings & Drives (Gone)
Public Market
Market Grill
University Sea Food
Puetz Golf
