 Edgewood Plaza (Rem.)
Lakeland, FL
Photo courtesy Scott Strickland
Back in the day, a trip through Lakeland meant seeing plenty of neon, and Edgewood Plaza had its share of it. The glowing letters stretched across the storefronts beneath the covered walkway, making the plaza hard to miss after dark. It's the kind of shopping center that looked even better once the lights came on. 10-09
Located at the corner of South Florida Avenue and Edgewood Drive, Edgewood Plaza has been serving Lakeland shoppers for decades. One of its best-known tenants was Turtle's Records & Tapes, where a late-1980s appearance by Queensrÿche drew a crowd that local music fans still remember. Movie fans might also recognize the area, as Edward Scissorhands was filmed just down the road along South Florida Avenue.
UPDATE: Edgewood Plaza is still open, but the vintage neon letters shown here have since been replaced during later renovations. 07-26
 Pensacola Beach Sign (Rem.)
Gulf Breeze, FL
Photo courtesy Christopher Hammersla
There's no mistaking when you're getting close to the beach. The Pensacola Beach sign has been greeting motorists for decades with its colorful sailfish, bright starburst, and animated lights. It's one of those landmarks that's almost as famous as the beach itself. 09-10
The original sign first went up in downtown Pensacola in 1960 before moving to its present location in 1962 to better guide beach traffic. Hurricane damage eventually claimed the original, but a faithful replacement was built in 2006 to keep the familiar landmark shining for a new generation of travelers.
Fans of Jaws 2 may recognize the area, as much of the 1978 movie was filmed around nearby Pensacola Beach.
UPDATE: The Pensacola Beach sign continues welcoming visitors today, although the current version is a recreation of the original. 07-26
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