Wendover Will
Wendover, UT/NV Photo courtesy Dave & Debra van Hulsteyn
Here are a couple of shots of Wendover Will at night. Standing 63 feet tall along the Nevada side of the Utah-Nevada border, Will is one of Nevada's most famous neon cowboys and has been welcoming travelers for generations. One of my favorite stops, especially after dark.
There's nothing quite like entering Wendover and seeing the bright glow of Wendover Will appear on the horizon. After miles of open desert and salt flats, the giant cowboy almost feels like a beacon letting you know you've arrived. Designed by the same artist who created Las Vegas' legendary Vegas Vic, Wendover Will first went up in 1952 and quickly became a landmark for motorists crossing the Bonneville Salt Flats. The giant smile, pointing hand, and glowing lights have made him a favorite subject for photographers and road trippers ever since. 09-06
UPDATE: Wendover Will still stands today andremains the symbol of West Wendover. The sign was relocated from its original location in 2005 and later restored, allowing future generations to continue enjoying one of the West's most recognizable roadside landmarks. 06-26
(Near right) A close-up shot of Will's face with his famous cigarette and a smile. Photo courtesy Dave & Debra van Hulsteyn
Champion Boots (Gone)
Grand Junction, CO Photo by RoadsidePeek.com
How about some boots and saddlery? How about a neon sign that advertises boots and saddlery? Check out this marquee for Champion Boots in Grand Junction.
The sign was a perfect fit for the business, featuring glowing neon and western-themed graphics that left little doubt about what was being sold inside. For decades, Champion Boots & Saddlery supplied boots, saddles, and other gear to customers throughout western Colorado.
Located along Main Street, the store became a fixture of downtown Grand Junction and one of the city's longest-running family-owned businesses. The sign helped make sure travelers and locals alike knew exactly where to find it. 10-06
UPDATE: Champion Boots & Saddlery has since closed after serving the Grand Junction community for many decades. The historic neon sign was removed from the building following the closure, but reports indicate it was preserved rather than destroyed. 06-26
United Electric Supply Co. (Rem.)
Salt Lake City, UT Photo courtesy Devil Doll
The United Electric Supply Co. sign still sparks up the night with its zippy neon. Hanging above the sidewalk in downtown Salt Lake City, it's one of those signs that immediately catches your attention, especially after dark.
Back in the 1950s, the animated neon sign advertised United Electric Supply and its "House of Service" slogan. The business itself is long gone from this location, but thankfully the sign wasn't lost to demolition or modernization.
It's always nice to see an old neon sign survive, even when the business it advertised has disappeared. In this case, the sign remains a colorful reminder of Salt Lake City's mid-century commercial past. 12-04
UPDATE: The original United Electric Supply Co. business no longer operates from this location, but the vintage sign survives. After serving a later tenant called The Summit Group for many years, the sign was repurposed again sometime after 2022 for Odyssey House, allowing this classic piece of Salt Lake City neon to remain part of the downtown streetscape. 06-26
The Paris
Pocatello,
ID Photo courtesy Dave & Debra van Hulsteyn
The glow hits the sidewalk at The Paris clothing store in downtown Pocatello. Mounted on the corners of the building are twin vertical neon signs that have helped make this one of the city's most recognizable downtown landmarks.
The building itself dates back to 1892, while the famous neon signs arrived decades later. Together they create a great combination of historic architecture and classic mid-century signage. After dark, the neon adds a colorful glow to Main Street and remains one of the highlights of downtown Pocatello.
It's the kind of sign that gives a downtown district character and reminds you of a time when businesses relied on neon to stand out from the crowd. 10-06
UPDATE: The iconic neon signs still survive and continue to light up downtown Pocatello. While the building has seen changes over the years, The Paris name remains on the property and is currently associated with a photography business operating from the historic location. The signs were restored and relit in 2018, ensuring they remain a centerpiece of the downtown streetscape. 06-26
Greyhound Bus (Closed)
Pocatello,
ID Photo courtesy Dave & Debra van Hulsteyn
The neon sign of a greyhound points the way to the Greyhound Bus Station in Pocatello. Few signs capture the spirit of mid-century travel quite like this one, with its running greyhound and bright neon glow lighting up the corner after dark.
Built in 1946, the depot was part of an era when bus travel played a major role in connecting communities across the West. The streamlined building and animated sign were designed to project speed and modernity, making the depot a destination in its own right.
One of the most memorable features is the running greyhound outlined in neon above the sign. Even today, it remains one of the finest surviving transportation signs in the region and a favorite stop for neon enthusiasts visiting Pocatello. 10-06
UPDATE: Greyhound no longer operates from the depot, but the historic building and sign survive. The landmark neon marquee was restored and relit in 2015, allowing its famous greyhound to continue lighting up downtown Pocatello. The building has been used for transit-related purposes and preservation efforts continue to focus on its long-term future. 06-26
(Left) A shot of the bus depot and the dominating neon glow from the bus depot sign
Champion Boots (Gone)
United Electric Supply Co. (Rem.)
