Ioof
Pocatello, ID
Photo courtesy Dave & Debra van Hulsteyn

The bright neon UPDATE sign is hard to miss while walking through downtown Pocatello. For many people, the letters may be a mystery, but they stand for the Independent Order of Odd Fellows, one of America's oldest fraternal organizations.

The Odd Fellows have been part of Pocatello's history for well over a century. Their lodge hall was constructed in 1892 and continues to serve the organization today. While many fraternal lodge buildings across the country have been demolished, repurposed, or simply faded away, the Pocatello lodge remains active. The neon sign has become one of downtown's more recognizable landmarks and adds a nice splash of vintage character to the streetscape. 09-06

UPDATE: The IOOF building remains active today and continues to serve local Odd Fellows and Rebekah members. The neon sign has been restored and still lights up downtown Pocatello, making it one of the city's surviving pieces of classic neon.

Creamer Heating (Closed)
Boise, ID
Photo courtesy Dave & Debra van Hulsteyn

Creamer Heating and Sheet Metal is a Boise, Idaho business located just off the roadside. Check out the matching signs on the roof. It's not often that you find a pair of rooftop signs still advertising the same business, especially ones that have become such a recognizable part of the local skyline.

Creamer Heating operated from this building for decades, providing heating, air conditioning, and sheet metal services to the Boise area. The twin rooftop signs became a familiar sight for motorists traveling through the city's West End and remained long after many similar commercial signs had disappeared from the landscape. 09-06

UPDATE: The original Creamer Heating operation is gone, but the building has found new life as the West End Food Co. Fortunately for sign fans, both rooftop signs were preserved and restored as part of the redevelopment. They remain in place today and continue to watch over this corner of Boise. 06-26

Dunkley's
Boise, ID
Photo courtesy Dave & Debra van Hulsteyn

This old script lettering is part of the neon sign for Dunkley's, a Boise, Idaho business. When this photo was taken, I wasn't quite sure what type of business Dunkley's was, but it turns out the sign belonged to one of Idaho's best-known music stores.

Dunkley Music was founded in 1950 and became a destination for musicians throughout the region. The company sold everything from band instruments to pianos and was known as Idaho's longtime Steinway dealer. The flowing script sign added a touch of personality to the downtown building and was a familiar sight for generations of Boise residents. 09-06

UPDATE: The downtown Dunkley's building was demolished in 2015 as part of a redevelopment project, and the sign was removed. The business itself survived the move and continues to operate today from a newer location in Meridian. 06-26

Red's Cycles
Pocatello, ID
Photo courtesy Dave & Debra van Hulsteyn

Check out this sign for Rod's Keys and Cycles in Pocatello. The business reflected both trades in its marquee, which was cleverly shaped like a giant key. It's not every day you find a sign that tells you exactly what a business does while also serving as its logo.

Combo businesses like this were once fairly common in smaller cities, where independent shop owners often wore more than one hat. Whether you needed a key made or a bicycle repaired, Rod's appears to have had you covered. The unique sign certainly helped the business stand out from the crowd. 10-06

Fred's Photo Service
Pocatello, ID
Photo courtesy Dave & Debra van Hulsteyn

The sign looking like an old camera points the way to Fred's Photo Service in Pocatello, ID. Camera-shaped signs aren't something you see every day, and this one leaves little doubt about the type of business located inside.

For many years, photo shops like Fred's Photo Service were a common sight in American downtowns. Whether customers needed film developed, prints made, or camera equipment, businesses like this served as the local headquarters for photography enthusiasts and everyday picture takers alike. 10-06

Packham Real Estate (Gone)
Blackfoot, ID
Photo courtesy Dave & Debra van Hulsteyn

Here's an old sign located at this business in Blackfoot, ID. The Packham Real Estate sign looks like it has been hanging around for quite a few years and is a nice reminder of the days when local real estate offices advertised themselves with large signs out front.

Packham Real Estate & Insurance was a longtime family-owned business in Blackfoot. Over the years, the company helped local residents with both real estate and insurance needs and became a familiar name in the community through several generations of family ownership. 10-06

UPDATE: Packham Real Estate is no longer operating from this location, but the building remains standing and has been repurposed for other uses. The old sign pictured here has since been removed. 06-26