Union Pacific Railroad
Salt Lake City, UT Photo courtesy Jack Wright
This old neon sign for the Union Pacific Railroad still glows at night in Salt Lake City. Mounted on the front of the historic depot, the familiar Union Pacific shield has become one of downtown's most recognizable pieces of railroad neon. The depot opened in 1909 and served generations of rail passengers arriving in and departing from Utah's capital city. While the trains are long gone, the sign remains as a reminder of the era when railroads were the primary way to travel across the West.
I've always liked how the sign looks after dark. It isn't flashy by Las Vegas standards, but the glow of the shield against the depot's historic facade makes for a classic Salt Lake City scene. 10-06
UPDATE: The historic Union Pacific Depot remains standing and underwent a major restoration as part of its conversion into the Asher Adams hotel, which opened in 2024. The iconic Union Pacific neon shield still survives on the front of the building and continues to light up the night more than a century after the depot first opened. 06-26
Another view of the full Union Pacific sign Photo courtesy Dave & Debra van Hulsteyn
AFE Photo courtesy Alex Schultz
This Colorado sight is rather interesting. Is the "AFE" part of an old cafe sign? Or is AFE actually the name of the business? Questions to ponder.
One of the things I enjoy about old signs is that they don't always tell the whole story. Missing letters, faded paint, and years of weather can turn an ordinary business sign into a roadside mystery. Sometimes a little research solves the puzzle. Other times you're left wondering what used to be there.
Whatever the original story may be, the remaining letters create an intriguing piece of roadside Americana that catches the eye and leaves you asking questions long after you've driven away. 10-06
UPDATE: The original purpose and history of this cafe sign could not be verified. The surviving letters remain an interesting roadside curiosity and a reminder that not every old sign gives up its secrets easily. 06-26
Lee's Liquors (Gone)
Colorado Springs, CO Photo by RoadsidePeek.com
Lee's Liquors in Colorado Springs sported a neon marquee that pointed the way into the parking lot. The sign combined two things that always worked well together—bright neon and a big arrow telling motorists exactly where to go.
Signs like this were designed with drivers in mind. A quick glance from the road was all it took to spot the business and follow the arrow into the lot. It wasn't complicated, but it was effective. The store may be gone today, but the old marquee is a good reminder of an era when businesses used neon, arrows, and a little creativity to stand out along the roadside. 10-06
UPDATE: Lee's Liquors has long since closed, and the vintage neon arrow sign no longer survives. The property has been redeveloped, bringing an end to this once-familiar piece of Colorado Springs roadside advertising. 06-26
Bud's Auto Repair (Gone)
Salt Lake City, UT Photo by RoadsidePeek.com
You hold the wrench when it comes to the neon sign at Bud's
Auto Repair. Shaped like a giant wrench, this was one of those signs that instantly told you what kind of business was inside.
Automotive businesses have produced some of the most creative roadside signs over the years, and this one is a great example. Rather than relying on words alone, the sign used a giant tool to advertise the service being offered. Add neon to the mix and it became hard to miss after dark.
It's exactly the kind of sign that makes a roadside photographer stop, turn around, and take a closer look. 10-06
UPDATE: Bud's Auto Repair has since closed, and the original sign no longer stands at the property. Fortunately, the unique neon wrench sign was reportedly preserved following its removal, helping save a memorable piece of Utah roadside history. 06-26
Rio Grande
Salt Lake City, UT Photo courtesy Jack Wright
Can't miss Rio Grande Depot when its sign lights up the night like this. The red neon stretched across the top of the depot and could be seen glowing over Salt Lake City after dark.
The depot opened in 1910 for the Denver & Rio Grande Western Railroad and later served generations of rail passengers. Even after regular passenger service moved elsewhere, the building and its rooftop sign remained a familiar downtown landmark. There's something about railroad neon that just feels right. Maybe it's the connection to travel, or maybe it's just the sight of a big red sign glowing against an old depot at dusk. Either way, this was one of Salt Lake City's classic railroad scenes. 12-06
UPDATE: The Rio Grande Depot remains standing, though the building has been closed to the public following earthquake damage in 2020 and is now in transition for future use. The original rooftop Rio Grande sign was removed in 2019 for safety reasons and later preserved off-site, while a replica sign was installed on the depot roof. 06-26
(Right) The Rio Grande sign at dusk . Salt Lake City, UT Photo courtesy Dave & Debra van Hulsteyn
Hayes Motor Co. (Gone)
Colorado Springs, CO Photo by RoadsidePeek.com
This rooftop sign for Hayes
Motor Co. still lights up the night in Colorado Springs. It's a reminder of the golden age of rooftop signs, when giant neon marquees sat high above city streets and could be seen from blocks away.
For decades, Hayes Motor Company was a familiar name in local automotive sales. The rooftop sign helped put the business on the map, using height and neon to grab the attention of passing motorists long before digital billboards came along.
Rooftop signs like this were once common across the West, but very few survived into the 21st century. That made this one a particularly nice find. 10-06
UPDATE: Hayes Motor Company has long since closed, and the property has been repurposed for other commercial uses. Unfortunately, the historic rooftop sign has been removed, bringing an end to one of Colorado Springs' last surviving examples of a classic rooftop automotive marquee. 06-26
Union Pacific Railroad
UPDATE
AFE
Lee's Liquors (Gone)
