Capital City Rescue Mission
Albany, NY
Photo courtesy Rick Ibsen

The red neon on this Jesus Saves cross lights the way to the Capital City Rescue Mission in Albany. Two simple words cross each other in bright red tubing against the white background, making this old sign quite a beacon after dark. 10-09

Capital City Rescue Mission was founded in 1949 and operated for many years at 50 Hudson Avenue. The cross once hung on the brick building beside painted lettering that read, “The way of sin is death, but the gift of God is eternal life.”

The mission moved to South Pearl Street around 2000, but the old sign was not forgotten. It was saved when the Hudson Avenue building was demolished in August 2016 and later placed on the newer mission building.

UPDATE: The Jesus Saves cross survives and still glows above the Capital City Rescue Mission at 259 South Pearl Street. 08-26

Playground Lounge (Gone)
Atlantic City, NJ
Photo by RoadsidePeek.com

Here’s one of those neon signs that could only come from Atlantic City. The old Playground Lounge sign featured a go-go girl swinging back and forth above the words “Girls Girls Girls.” Not exactly subtle, but it certainly got the message across. 05-20

The Playground was a neighborhood dive and adult lounge a few blocks away from the bright casino signs along the Boardwalk. Its animated neon girl was made to look as though she were swinging through the night.

The bar catered to a mix of locals, casino workers and late-night gamblers. It eventually closed, taking another wonderfully offbeat piece of old Atlantic City neon with it.

UPDATE: The Playground Lounge is gone and its neon swinging-girl sign has been removed. 08-26