Jewelry Sign
UT
Photo by RoadsidePeek.com

Here's an old jewelry store sign found along the roadside in Utah. The Jewelry Sign is the kind of simple downtown marquee that was once a common sight along Main Streets throughout the West. While it doesn't advertise a specific business name, there is little doubt about what was being sold inside.

Signs like this helped define the look of many downtown business districts during the mid-20th century. Today, generic signs advertising jewelry, shoes, cameras, and other goods are becoming increasingly rare as older storefronts are remodeled or replaced altogether. 10-06

Russ Vacuum (Closed)
Grand Junction, CO
Photo by RoadsidePeek.com

The giant vacuum cleaner mounted on top of the sign makes Russ Vacuum hard to miss. Roadside businesses have long used oversized objects to grab the attention of passing motorists, and this may be one of the few giant vacuum cleaner signs left around.

Russ Vacuum opened in 1992, although the family's connection to the vacuum repair business goes back much further. The shop specialized in vacuum sales and repairs and became a familiar sight along North Avenue thanks to its unique sign. While giant coffee cups, donuts, and hamburgers are well known roadside attractions, a giant vacuum cleaner is definitely something you don't see every day. 10-06

UPDATE: Russ Vacuum has closed, but the building remains standing in Grand Junction. The sign structure is still in place, although the giant vacuum cleaner that made it famous has reportedly changed condition over the years. 06-26

Hudson Shoes (Closed)
Burley ID
Photo courtesy Dave & Debra van Hulsteyn

Traveling through Burley, Idaho, you might have found yourself stopping at Hudson Shoes. For years, the store supplied everything from work boots to everyday footwear for customers throughout the Magic Valley.

The Hudson name was well known across southern Idaho. Originally founded in Twin Falls by Voy Hudson, the business expanded to several communities while maintaining the kind of personal service that helped build a loyal customer base. The Burley store remained part of that tradition for many years. 09-06

UPDATE: The Burley Hudson Shoes location has since closed., sometime prior to 2012. Hudson Shoes continues to operate from its longtime Twin Falls store, but the Burley location is no longer in business. 06-26

Jensen Jewelers
Burley, ID
Photo courtesy Dave & Debra van Hulsteyn

Right next door to Hudson Shoes sits Jensen Jewelers, another longtime Burley business with roots in southern Idaho. The Jensen family opened their first jewelry store in Twin Falls in 1956 and expanded to Burley a few years later.

For generations, locals have stopped here for watches, engagement rings, anniversary gifts, and other special occasions. Along the way, Jensen Jewelers became known throughout the region for its selection of elk ivory jewelry, a style that remains popular across the Mountain West.

Stores like this helped make downtown shopping districts more than just places to run errands. They were where people went to mark life's milestones. 09-06

UPDATE: Jensen Jewelers remains in business today and continues to serve customers from its Burley location. More than sixty years after opening in Burley, the store is still carrying on the family tradition. 06-26

Rescue Mission
Boise, ID
Photo courtesy Dave & Debra van Hulsteyn

Check out this old sign out front of the Rescue Mission in Boise. Unlike most of the signs featured on RoadsidePeek, this one wasn't advertising a motel, restaurant, or retail store. Instead, it pointed people toward help when they needed it most.

The Boise Rescue Mission was founded in 1958 and has provided meals, shelter, clothing, and other services to those in need throughout the Treasure Valley for decades. The sign served a practical purpose, helping people find their way to the mission while becoming a familiar part of the streetscape.

It's a reminder that not every roadside sign was designed to sell something. Some were there simply to welcome people through the door. 09-06

UPDATE: Boise Rescue Mission Ministries continues to operate and has expanded into a multi-location organization serving communities throughout southern Idaho. 06-26

Cardinal Market (Rem.)
American Falls, ID
Photo courtesy Dave & Debra van Hulsteyn

The Cardinal Market in American Falls featured a distinctive diamond-shaped sign perched on the roof. It's the kind of architectural detail that immediately catches your attention while driving through town.

Independent grocery stores once relied on creative signs and building designs to stand out from the competition, and Cardinal Market was no exception. The rooftop diamond gave the store a bit of personality and helped make it a recognizable landmark for local shoppers.

It's a great example of the everyday roadside architecture that was once common across small-town America but has become increasingly rare. 09-06

UPDATE: Cardinal Market has since closed. The building remains standing and has been repurposed, though the current status of the rooftop diamond sign could not be independently verified. It may be a Rockland Pharmacy. 06-26