Steinway Pianos (Gone)
Boston, MA Photo by RoadsidePeek.com
The glowing vertical sign for Steinway Pianos was a classy sight along Boston’s old Piano Row. Red and white neon outlined the porcelain blade, advertising the M. Steinert & Sons showroom inside the six-story Boylston Street building. 02-08
The building dated back to 1896, but its biggest surprise was four floors underground. Hidden beneath the showroom was Steinert Hall, an ornate 650-seat concert hall built below street level to escape the noise of passing streetcars. It closed to the public after Boston tightened its fire codes in the 1940s.
UPDATE: The Boylston Street piano showroom has closed, and the old Steinway neon sign has been removed. M. Steinert & Sons continues at other locations outside downtown Boston. 08-26
Wall Hotel (Gone)
Wall, PA Photo courtesy Jim Zahniser
The vertical neon sign on the Wall Hotel really stands out against the old three-story brick building. Just the word “HOTEL” in glowing red letters was enough to guide travelers into this little Allegheny County borough near Pittsburgh. 01-08
The building originally served as a neighborhood hotel near Wall and Versailles avenues. Its final commercial chapter was rather different, when it operated as a local strip club before closing and falling into disrepair.
By early 2014, bricks were dropping from the roofline and traffic had to be restricted around the property. The crumbling landmark was eventually purchased at a sheriff’s sale for only $8,800.
UPDATE: The Wall Hotel is closed, and its neon blade sign has been removed. The old building was sold for redevelopment. 08-26
Orr Cadillac (Gone)
Springfield, MA Photo courtesy Rick Ibsen
The colorful script neon at Orr Cadillac brought some showroom class to Mill Street in Springfield. The Orr family built the glass-fronted dealership in 1957, giving its luxury automobiles a suitably stylish setting. That glowing sign certainly helped dress up the street after dark. 03-08
The family’s automobile business dated back to 1915, with Cadillac joining the lineup in 1940. Generations of car shoppers passed through before the franchise ended in 2010.
UPDATE: The Orr Cadillac sign has been removed. After extensive remodeling, the former dealership became the Springfield Rescue Mission in 2015, giving the old showroom a new community role. 08-26
Houser Buick (Gone)
Springfield, MA Photo courtesy Rick Ibsen
The red and white neon Houser Buick sign really lit up the Springfield sky. Mounted high above South Columbus Avenue, its familiar Buick script helped motorists spot the dealership before reaching the showroom. Houser later added GMC and Hyundai, but the old Buick sign remained the roadside attraction. 03-08
UPDATE: The former dealership has been remodeled and absorbed into the Balise Auto Group complex. The vintage neon sign has been removed, taking a familiar piece of Springfield’s automobile row with it. 08-26
Anton's Cleaners
Chelmsford, MA Photos courtesy Rick Ibsen
Here’s a neat bit of roadside script outside Anton's Cleaners in Chelmsford. The freestanding sign spells out the name in sweeping red neon, with the letters looking almost as if they were written across the night sky. A small “Dry Cleans” panel underneath finishes off this classic cleaners sign. 05-08
Anton’s has been cleaning clothes around Massachusetts for more than a century. The Chelmsford shop sits at East Gate Plaza along a busy commercial stretch of Chelmsford Street, but its old sign gives the otherwise modern plaza a welcome splash of roadside personality.
Anton's Cleaners
Chelmsford, MA Photos courtesy Rick Ibsen
The company has grown into a regional chain with locations and delivery routes across eastern Massachusetts and southern New Hampshire. Anton’s is also known for its annual Coats for Kids & Families drive, which began in 1995 and has collected thousands of warm coats for local families.
UPDATE: Anton’s Cleaners remains open at 288 Chelmsford Street. The distinctive script sign still stands out front alongside the company’s newer branding. 08-26
East Gate Plaza (Rem.)
Chelmsford, MA Photo courtesy Rick Ibsen
Check out the towering old East Gate Plaza sign in Chelmsford. Its big oval, starry decorations and separate tenant panels gave Route 110 motorists plenty to look over while deciding where to stop. This was shopping center advertising with a little personality. 05-08
The plaza opened during the suburban shopping boom of the mid-1960s. Market Basket became its main draw, joined by neighborhood shops and familiar businesses like Anton’s Cleaners.
UPDATE: East Gate Plaza remains open, but the old roadside sign has been replaced by a modern tenant directory. The shopping continues, though the entrance has lost some of its earlier roadside flair. 08-26
Citgo Sign
Boston, MA Photo courtesy Rick Ibsen
The famous CITGO Sign has watched over Boston’s Kenmore Square since 1965. Its giant red triangle and animated lighting make it hard to miss after dark. Near Fenway Park, it has also become a familiar background attraction during televised Red Sox games. 09-08
The sign went dark during the energy crisis in 1979 and faced dismantling in 1983. Public opposition helped save it, giving this oversized advertisement a second career as a beloved Boston landmark.
UPDATE: The CITGO Sign continues to shine over Kenmore Square. LEDs now carry on the familiar animated display, keeping that big red triangle in the nighttime skyline. 08-26
Steinway Pianos (Gone)
