This eye-catching neon arrow points the way into Ray's
Tavern in Green River. Signs like this don't just advertise a business, they practically call out to you so that you stop and take a look.
Ray's Tavern opened in 1943 and moved to its current location in 1945. What started as a simple tavern became a local legend after river guides convinced the owners to start serving burgers to hungry boaters returning from trips on the Green River. Those burgers helped put Ray's on the map and turned it into a favorite stop for both locals and travelers.
UPDATE: Ray's Tavern remains in operation today and is still one of Green River's best-known roadside stops. The vintage neon arrow continues to glow above the parking lot, guiding customers to a place that has been welcoming hungry travelers for more than 80 years. 06-26
Hollywood Bar & Cafe
Trinidad, CO
Photo courtesy Alex Schultz
Check out the Hollywood Bar and Cafe in Trinidad. The vintage sign still lights up the sky with its glowing martini glass and remains one of the more recognizable signs in town.
The Hollywood Bar & Cafe has been serving customers since 1900 and has been a local landmark for generations. Whether you're stopping in for a meal or simply driving by, the sign does a pretty good job of getting your attention.
UPDATE: The Hollywood Bar & Cafe remains in operation today and continues to welcome locals and travelers alike. While the building has seen updates over the years, the classic sign and martini glass remain a familiar sight in Trinidad and continue to light up the night just as they have for decades. 06-26
Thunderbird Restaurant
Mt. Carmel, UT Photo courtesy Paul Bauke
Here are a couple of neon shots of the Thunderbird Restaurant in Mt. Carmel as it appears at dusk. This marquee looks amazing at night in all of its neon glory. The Thunderbird dates back to 1931 and is the "Home of the Ho-Made Pies."
The Thunderbird has been welcoming travelers for generations along Highway 89 near Zion National Park. Its famous neon sign, complete with the pie-holding "Pie Girl," has become one of the best-known roadside landmarks in southern Utah.
One of the more interesting stories behind the sign involves the restaurant's famous "Ho-Made Pies" slogan. According to family lore, the unusual spelling came about during World War II when there wasn't enough room on the original sign to spell out the entire word "homemade." The shortened version stuck and became part of the restaurant's identity.
Thunderbird Restaurant
Mt. Carmel, UT Photo courtesy Paul Bauke
UPDATE: The Thunderbird Restaurant remains in operation today and is still family-owned more than 90 years after opening. Travelers continue to stop for a slice of pie, and the iconic neon sign remains fully illuminated, welcoming visitors to Mt. Carmel just as it has for generations. 06-26
Monte Cristo Bar
Trinidad, CO Photo courtesy Larry Glass
Here is the neon sign that once stood outside the Monte Cristo Bar in Trinidad. Located just north of the New Mexico border, Trinidad has long been home to some great vintage signs, and this was one of them.
The Monte Cristo occupied a historic downtown building and became a familiar gathering spot for locals over the years. Its double-sided neon sign helped make it easy to spot while traveling through town and added another splash of color to Trinidad's streetscape. 11-07
UPDATE: The Monte Cristo Bar is no longer in business. The historic building remains standing and has since been adapted for other uses, but the vintage neon sign has been removed. Fortunately, photographs like this preserve the memory of another classic Trinidad neon landmark. 06-26
Aly's Fireside Cafe
Walsenburg, CO Photo courtesy Larry Glass
The neon at Aly's Fireside Cafe made this Walsenburg storefront worth noticing after dark. Its tall vertical sign stood above Main Street, giving hungry motorists the sort of welcome that’s difficult to reproduce with a plain plastic panel. 11-07
Alys Romer bought the Fireside in 1995 and spent thirteen years making it a destination restaurant. She left in 2008 to care for her father in New Jersey. Inside, a large stone fireplace gave the dining room a feature that suited the name just as well as the sign outside.
UPDATE: Aly’s is gone, although other operators subsequently tried the restaurant space at 606 Main Street. The building and sign survived, with LED lighting installed in the familiar marquee by 2021. The illumination has changed, but the old Fireside name remains part of the roadside story. 06-26
Sarti's Bar (Closed)
Walsenburg, CO Photo courtesy Larry Glass
The glowing Coors advertisement at Sarti's Bar added a splash of neon to an evening in Walsenburg. Light spilling onto the sidewalk made this the sort of neighborhood tavern worth photographing, whether you were stopping for a beer or simply passing through. 11-07
The business became Sarti’s in 1971, following an earlier chapter as the Silver Moon. Located at 821 Main Street, it retained an antique wooden back bar and a high tin ceiling, giving the interior some character to match the advertising outside.
UPDATE: Sarti’s has closed. Local reporting confirmed that subsequent owners did not plan to reopen the bar, although the building survives. The sign’s present condition remains unconfirmed, but this photograph preserves its earlier glow above one of Walsenburg’s longtime gathering places. 06-26
