Bell Plumbing and Heating (Gone)
Denver, CO
Photo courtesy Mike Lascuola

Here's a huge old sign from a Denver plumbing company. For years, the giant Bell Plumbing and Heating sign was a familiar sight for anyone traveling along Interstate 25 near Evans Avenue. Topped with a giant bell and carrying the company's memorable "Ring the Bell!" slogan, it became one of Denver's best-known commercial landmarks.

The company dates back to 1926 and is considered the oldest home service company in the Denver metro area. In 1955, Bell opened its headquarters near I-25, where the towering sign helped guide customers to the business for decades. Like many of the great rooftop and roadside signs of the era, it was built to be seen from a distance and became part of the local landscape.

Unfortunately, progress eventually caught up with the property. The Evans Avenue headquarters was acquired and demolished in 2001 as part of the massive T-REX highway and light rail expansion project. Fortunately, the top portion of the famous sign was saved before the wrecking crews arrived.

UPDATE: Bell Plumbing, Heating, Cooling & Electrical remains in business today at a newer location. The original Evans Avenue headquarters is gone, but the salvaged bell portion of the sign was preserved and is now part of Denver's Save the Signs collection. 06-26

Color Portrait
CO
Photo by RoadsidePeek.com

This old Color Portrait sign sits high above the building below, looking like it has spent decades facing the Colorado sun and weather. Its faded face and worn appearance tell a story all by themselves.

There was a time when portrait studios were a common sight in shopping districts across America. Family photos, senior portraits, wedding pictures, and holiday cards often meant a trip to a local photography studio. Long before smartphones and digital cameras put a camera in everyone's pocket, businesses like these helped capture life's milestones.

Whether the studio itself survived or not, the sign is a reminder of a different era in photography when getting your picture taken was a special occasion rather than an everyday event. 09-06

Hitching Post
UT
Photo by RoadsidePeek.com

Say hello to the Hitching Post or else get lassoed in. The sign out front made sure travelers noticed the place, thanks to its western styling and prominent horseshoe design.

Located along U.S. 89 in southern Utah, the Hitching Post catered to travelers exploring nearby destinations such as Zion National Park and Bryce Canyon. Businesses along these highways often relied on memorable signs to attract motorists, and this one certainly did the job.

The horseshoe-themed marquee was a perfect fit for the western landscape and remains a fun reminder of the days when roadside businesses competed for attention with neon and personality instead of digital billboards.

Butch Cassidy Camp
UT
Photo by RoadsidePeek.com

Welcome to the Butch Cassidy Camp in Utah and its welcome marquee for prospective campers. If the sky is dark, just follow the neon sign in.

Named after Utah's most famous outlaw, the campground became a familiar stop for travelers passing through central Utah. The western-themed sign fit the name perfectly, offering a friendly welcome to campers, RV travelers, and road trippers exploring the region.

Campgrounds once relied on signs like this to stand out along the highway, and this one delivered plenty of personality. It's the kind of roadside attraction that made the journey just as memorable as the destination. 09-06

UPDATE: The campground continues to operate today as Butch Cassidy RV Park & Campground, serving travelers along Highway 89 and Interstate 70. 06-26

Chisholm's Jewelry (Gone)
Lander, WY
Photo courtesy Tony Craig

Here's an old vintage sign outside of Chisholm's Jewelry in downtown Lander. The sign projects out over Main Street and features an unusual circular section at the top that naturally makes you wonder what might have once occupied the space. Was it a clock? A decorative element? That's one piece of the sign's history that would be interesting to know.

Chisholm's Jewelry was a longtime fixture in Lander and was widely recognized as Wyoming's oldest jewelry store. The business traced its roots back to 1936 and served generations of local residents and visitors passing through this historic western town. Over the years, the store became known for fine jewelry, watches, gifts, and Wyoming jade, one of the state's most recognizable gemstones.

The vintage sign fit perfectly with the character of downtown Lander, where many historic storefronts still line Main Street much as they have for decades. Signs like this are a reminder of a time when businesses relied on distinctive street-side advertising to catch the attention of shoppers strolling through town.

UPDATE: Chisholm's Jewelry closed in 2018 after more than eight decades in business. The historic building remains standing as part of downtown Lander's commercial district. The original Chisholm's Jewelry sign has been removed, though the storefront continues to be occupied by Fremont Music. 06-26

Ben & Millie's Curios
UT
Photo by RoadsidePeek.com

An old and faded sign, Ben & Millie's Curios looks like it has seen plenty of years under the Utah sun. Time has taken its toll on the paint and lettering, but enough remains to hint at what was once a classic roadside stop for travelers passing through the state.

Curio shops were once a common sight along western highways, offering everything from souvenirs and postcards to locally made crafts and unusual keepsakes. While many of those businesses have disappeared, signs like this serve as reminders of an era when a road trip often included a stop at whatever interesting attraction happened to be waiting around the next bend.

Unfortunately, little information could be found about Ben & Millie's Curios itself. That only adds to the mystery surrounding this weathered old marquee and the stories it could probably tell if it could talk.

Stigs
UT
Photo by Roadsidepeek.com

This sign points the way into Stigs and its games and pool. Beyond that, not much is known about the business today, but the sign itself is what caught my attention.

The marquee has all the hallmarks of a classic hangout spot. Whether you were stopping in for a game of pool, an arcade game, or just to spend time with friends, the sign did its job by letting everyone know where the action was.

Sometimes the mystery is part of the appeal. Without knowing exactly where Stigs was located or how long it operated, the sign becomes a snapshot from another era, leaving more questions than answers.