Roadside Peek : Neon Signage Southern California 1

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Santa Monica Pier
Photo courtesy Georg Balandran

Here's a Route 66 snapshot... the Santa Monica Pier at sunset. The pier sign was installed in 1940 by the Santa Monica Pier Businessmen's Association and now is a roadside icon seen in many movies, shows, and sporting events.

Norwalk Town Square
Norwalk, CA
Photo courtesy Adriene Biondo

The vintage shopping center sign for Norwalk Square still lights up the sky, hearkening back to an era when life appeared simpler. Now over 50 years old, the Norwalk Town Square sign was originally designed by noted architect Stiles O. Clements.

Clayton Plumbers (Gone)
Photo courtesy Georg Balandran

This sign for Clayton Plumbers sports fantastic neon at night. The neon on the sign is animated as the drops come down to the final splash. Will Clayton's see a final splash?

UPDATE 04/07 : The Clayton Plumbers sign is scheduled to come down on April 16th. According to the National Trust's Preservation Online, the owner of the business says the Clayton Plumbers sign is to costly to maintain and will be donating to the Museum of Neon Art (MONA). The 20 foot tall sign was originally installed at the Westwood location in 1947 and most recently restored for $20,000 in 2001. The Los Angeles Conservancy as well as MONA is hoping its remains in its place along Westwood Boulevard like it has been for the last 60 years. . Many thanks to Adriene Biondo for alert. 04-07

UPDATE 01/11 : The Clayton Plumbers neon marquee was removed later in 2007 and moved to the Los Angeles County Museum of Neon Art (MONA). 01-11

Apache
Photo courtesy Georg Balandran