Key RV Park (Gone)
Florida Keys, FL
Photo courtesy Paul Bauke

This key lights up in the Florida Keys. The Key RV Park featured one of those signs that made motorists tap the brakes for a second look. The giant neon key glowed beside the Overseas Highway, welcoming travelers to another classic Old Florida stop where fishing boats, campers, and palm trees all seemed to belong together. It was a perfect fit for the laid-back atmosphere of the Keys.

Roadside signs in the Florida Keys have always had a little more personality than most, and this one was no exception. The oversized key was simple, clever, and impossible to miss as you cruised down U.S. 1. Whether you were looking for a campsite, a place to park the RV, or just another excuse to stop and stretch your legs, the glowing key did exactly what it was designed to do.

The park eventually changed from a roadside RV destination into a resident-owned waterfront community, but for years the neon key was one of those little landmarks that helped define the drive through Marathon. Fans of the Netflix series Bloodline may recognize the surrounding stretch of the Overseas Highway, where the show captured the faded marinas, roadside businesses, and unmistakable Old Florida character that made the Keys such a memorable backdrop.

UPDATE: The former Keys RV Park is now the Key by the Sea community. The giant neon key sign has been removed. 07-26

Colonial Photo
Orlando, FL
Photo by RoadsidePeek.com

The Colonial Photo in Orlando still features a fine neon sign advertising its photo and hobby business along the main drag. The glowing clock up above is just as hard to miss, especially after dark. If you've ever driven down Mills Avenue, chances are you've looked over at least once to see what time it was.

Colonial Photo first opened in 1954 and moved into this building a few years later. The building itself started life as a Publix supermarket, and the familiar roadside sign and clock came with it. Rather than replace them, the owners simply made them part of the store. It turned out to be a pretty good decision, as the sign has become just as well known as the business it advertises.

Need a camera, model train, or hobby supplies? This is the place. Generations of photographers have walked through the front doors, and it's still one of those stores where browsing is half the fun. Even if you leave empty-handed, the vintage neon and classic storefront are worth the stop.

UPDATE: Colonial Photo & Hobby is still family owned, and the landmark neon sign and clock continue lighting up Mills Avenue. 07-26

McNamara Pontiac (Demolished)
Orlando, FL
Photo by RoadsidePeek.com

The McNamara Pontiac sign, shown here all lit up in neon, is quite eye-catching from the road. With its glowing Pontiac Indian logo and bright turquoise neon, it was one of those dealership signs that was almost as memorable as the cars it helped sell. Even after dark, it was hard to miss while cruising down Colonial Drive.

McNamara Pontiac opened in downtown Orlando in 1961 before moving to this prominent Colonial Drive location in 1965. Back when every car dealer tried to outdo the one next door, McNamara certainly held its own. The big Googie-style marquee quickly became one of Orlando's roadside landmarks. You didn't have to be shopping for a new Pontiac to appreciate the sign. It was simply one of those pieces of roadside Americana that made driving through town a little more interesting.

As the years passed, the dealership added Isuzu to the lineup, but the old Pontiac Indian remained the star of the marquee. When General Motors discontinued the Pontiac brand, the dealership eventually closed, ending nearly 50 years of selling Pontiacs in Orlando. The property was demolished a few years later as redevelopment began along the corner.

UPDATE: McNamara Pontiac closed around 2010 following Pontiac's discontinuation, and the dealership was demolished after the property was sold in 2015. The landmark neon sign is no longer standing along Colonial Drive. 07-26

U-Haul Rental (Demolished)
Tampa, FL
Photo courtesy John V Cinchett

One of the first U-Haul Rental locations in the state of Florida was found in Tampa. Check out the look of this marquee in this photo from 1951 as well as the neon map. Many thanks to John V Cinchett for info. 11-08

Need to rent a trailer? Years ago, motorists traveling along Hillsborough Avenue couldn't miss the bright neon sign for U-Haul Rental. Long before today's standardized orange signs, this location featured a custom neon marquee that lit up the highway and pointed the way for travelers needing a truck or trailer.

Back in the 1950s, U-Haul operated through a network of independent neighborhood businesses rather than large corporate moving centers. This Tampa location was one of those roadside dealers, serving motorists during the postwar years when more and more Americans were packing up and heading down the highway. The glowing sign was custom built by Tampa's Cinchett Neon Signs, the same company responsible for many of the city's best-known neon landmarks.

UPDATE: This Hillsborough Avenue U-Haul location has long since disappeared, and the vintage neon sign has been removed. Modern commercial development has replaced the original roadside business. 07-26

Southside Cleaners
Lakeland, FL
Photo courtesy Scott Strickland

Driving down South Florida Avenue, it's hard not to notice the bright starburst shining above Southside Cleaners. The seafoam green and yellow sign has been catching motorists' eyes for decades, and it looks just as much at home today as it did back in the early 1960s. It's one of those signs that makes you slow down for a second look. 10-09

The business first opened here in 1954 as Florida Drive-In Cleaners before becoming Southside Cleaners a few years later. In 1962, a new roadside sign was installed, complete with its colorful starburst and sweeping Googie styling. Believe it or not, the sign was designed by Greg Myers when he was only 12 years old. Over the years, Greg and his family also became known for changing the marquee with funny sayings and clever puns, giving locals another reason to glance over whenever they drove by.

The sign took a pretty good hit from Hurricane Ian in 2022, but even then the owners managed to have a little fun with it. While repairs were underway, the marquee simply read "Ouchie!" It wasn't long before the neon was glowing once again, proving this old landmark still had plenty of life left in it.

UPDATE: Southside Cleaners remains open, and the restored neon sign continues lighting up South Florida Avenue after returning to service in 2023. 07-26