American Cleaners (Gone)
Lander, WY
Photo courtesy Tony Craig

The marquee for American Cleaners advertises not only same-day service but also its patriotic red, white, and blue colors.

What is attention catching here is the color scheme. The bright red, white, and blue marquee did a great job of standing out from the surrounding storefronts while making the business easy to spot from down the street.

Signs like this were designed to do more than identify a business. They were meant to grab attention, and this one certainly accomplished that with its bold colors and promise of same-day service.

UPDATE: American Cleaners is no longer operating at this location. The original marquee has been removed from the building. 06-26

Freeman's Dry Cleaning (Demolished)
Greeley, CO
Photo by RoadsidePeek.com

Freeman's Dry Cleaning in Colorado features a brightly colored sign that's quite eye-catching along the boulevard. This business also advertises its one-day service. What is attention catching here is the sign's bold use of color. Combined with the promise of one-day service, it was clearly designed to stand out and grab the attention of passing motorists.

Businesses like dry cleaners rarely get much attention today, but signs like this show how much effort once went into attracting customers and promoting speedy service. The colorful marquee made sure Freeman's stood out from the competition.

UPDATE: Freeman's Dry Cleaning closed prior to 2011, and the building sat vacant for many years afterward. The structure was demolished sometime after 2023, and the property is now a vacant lot. The original sign is no longer present. 06-26

Fabricare Services
Denver, CO
Photo by RoadsidePeek.com

Here's an old marquee still advertising Fabricare Services at this Colorado laundry and cleaners business. Check out the starburst on top of this sign.

What is attention catching here is the starburst. It gives the sign a definite Space Age look and helps elevate what otherwise might have been a fairly ordinary business sign. The laundry business may have been focused on cleaning clothes, but the sign was clearly designed to clean up when it came to attracting attention from passing motorists. 09-06

UPDATE: Fabricare Services is no longer operating, and the distinctive roadside marquee has reportedly been removed. The fate of the starburst-topped sign is unknown. 06-26

Laundromat & Car Wash
Dubois, WY
Photo courtesy Tony Craig

Believe it or not, this Laundromat & Car Wash with the big ol' steer head out front is located in Dubois, Wyoming. What is attention catching here is the giant skull over the entrance. Most laundromats aren't exactly known for eye-catching architecture, but this one definitely stands out from the crowd.

The building was originally created as a combination restaurant, car wash, and laundromat. Whether you stop to do a load of laundry or just snap a photo, it's one of those roadside sights that's hard to forget once you've seen it. 10-06

UPDATE: The laundromat and car wash remain open in Dubois today. The giant skull entrance still stands and continues to welcome travelers passing through town. 06-26

Hampton's Cleaners (Gone)
Ogden, UT
Photo courtesy Dave & Debra van Hulsteyn

This sign sits out front of Hampton's Cleaners in Ogden. What is attention catching here is the sign's classic mid-century design. Businesses like dry cleaners were once found in nearly every neighborhood, and many invested in distinctive roadside signs to help attract customers and build a recognizable local presence.

The sign may have advertised a routine service, but it added character to the street and served as a reminder of a time when even everyday businesses put a little extra effort into their roadside image. 09-06

UPDATE: Hampton's continues to operate today as a family-owned dry cleaning business, though the original Ogden location has closed. The vintage roadside sign that once stood outside the 26th Street facility has been removed. The old location is home to Tru Tone Christmas Lights and the sign has been reused. 06-26