The Oyster Bar
Fort Wayne, IN Photos and info courtesy Alan Culley
TheOyster Bar has been a Fort Wayne institution since 1888 and is one of Indiana's oldest continuously operating restaurants. The glowing neon sign has welcomed diners for generations, and when these photos were taken, the rotating display added even more life to one of downtown's classic landmarks. 12-07
The restaurant began as a neighborhood saloon before evolving into the seafood destination it is today. Oysters were added to the menu in the 1950s, helping establish its reputation as one of the Midwest's best-known seafood restaurants. Over the years, the business has operated under several different names and owners, but the historic building has remained a favorite gathering place for well over a century.
The Oyster Bar has continued to thrive while preserving much of its historic character. Although a second location briefly operated years ago, the original Calhoun Street restaurant remains the heart of the business. The classic neon sign is still in place, making it one of Fort Wayne's most recognizable nighttime landmarks.
UPDATE: The Oyster Bar remains open and continues to serve seafood from its historic downtown location. The vintage neon sign still lights up the building and remains one of Fort Wayne's best-known restaurant signs. 06-26
Ariston Cafe
Litchfield, IL Photo courtesy Alan Culley
The Ariston Cafe has been welcoming travelers since 1924 and is one of the true treasures of historic Route 66. Originally opened in nearby Carlinville, the restaurant moved to Litchfield in 1929 before settling into its current home along the Mother Road in 1935. If you're traveling Route 66 through Illinois, this is one stop that shouldn't be missed. More information can be found at the website for the Ariston Cafe.11-07
Founded by Greek immigrant Pete Adam, the Ariston is recognized as the oldest continuously operating restaurant on Route 66. The beautifully preserved building still features many of its original Art Deco details, while the classic neon signs out front continue to greet travelers just as they have for generations. Inside, you'll find everything from steaks and fried chicken to homemade baklava, reflecting both the restaurant's American roots and the Adam family's Greek heritage.
The Ariston was added to the National Register of Historic Places in 2006 and inducted into the Route 66 Association Hall of Fame years earlier. After nearly a century under the Adam family, the restaurant entered a new chapter with new ownership in 2018, but its commitment to preserving one of Route 66's most iconic dining stops remains unchanged.
UPDATE: The Ariston Cafe remains open and continues to welcome Route 66 travelers from around the world. Its historic neon signs still light up the front of the building, and the restaurant celebrated its 100th anniversary in 2024. 06-26
Red Cedar Inn (Rem.)
Pacific, MO Photo courtesy Alan Culley
The Red Cedar Inn is one of Missouri's best-known Route 66 landmarks. Built in the early 1930s from logs cut on a nearby family farm, the rustic restaurant became a favorite stop for travelers cruising the Mother Road. When this photo was taken, the inn had recently closed, and the City of Pacific was considering purchasing the property to preserve its future. 11-07
The Red Cedar Inn opened in 1934, just after the end of Prohibition, and quickly earned a reputation for its fried chicken and welcoming atmosphere. Over the years it attracted everyone from local families to Route 66 travelers, as well as well-known sports figures including Dizzy Dean and Ted Williams. The landmark was added to the National Register of Historic Places in 2003, recognizing its importance to both Route 66 and Missouri history.
One of the inn's most recognizable features was its vintage neon sign. Originally installed as a freestanding roadside sign in the 1940s, it was later mounted directly to the front of the log building, where it became an icon for generations of travelers.
UPDATE: The City of Pacific purchased the Red Cedar Inn in 2017 and transformed it into the Red Cedar Inn Museum & Visitor Center. The historic neon sign has been professionally restored and is now displayed inside the building, where it is protected for future generations. 06-26
Broadway Joe's Tavern (Demolished)
Fort Wayne, IN Photo courtesy Alan Culley
Broadway Joe's Tavern was a longtime neighborhood favorite on Fort Wayne's South Broadway corridor. Its classic neon sign, complete with a glowing arrow pointing toward the front door, was the kind of roadside landmark that made you want to stop in and see what was inside. 12-07
For more than four decades, Broadway Joe's was owned by Joseph "Joe" Lebrato, serving generations of regulars in one of Fort Wayne's classic neighborhood taverns. The mid-century porcelain sign and animated arrow became familiar sights after dark, adding another splash of neon to the city's collection of vintage commercial signs.
After the tavern closed, the building sat vacant for several years. In 2020, a fire caused extensive damage, and the structure was eventually demolished. Unfortunately, the fate of the iconic neon sign remains unknown, with no confirmed reports of it being preserved.
UPDATE: Broadway Joe's Tavern is gone, and the building has been demolished. The historic neon sign disappeared during the property's final years, and its current whereabouts are unknown. 06-26
The Acme Tavern
Fort Wayne, IN Photo and info courtesy Alan Culley
TheAcme Tavern has been a neighborhood fixture on Fort Wayne's east side since 1941. Its vintage sign, proudly proclaiming "Where Neighbors Meet," has greeted generations of customers along old U.S. Route 30A, making it one of the city's best-known roadside landmarks. The name always brings to mind Wile E. Coyote's famous Acme gadgets, even if this Acme was much more interested in serving food and drinks than supplying Road Runner traps. 12-07
Over the years, the Acme built a loyal following as a classic neighborhood tavern, known for its burgers, pizzas, and breaded pork tenderloins. Like many corner taverns of its era, it also operated a package liquor store for a time. The business closed during the COVID-19 pandemic in 2021, but the historic building didn't stay empty for long.
In 2022, the restaurant reopened under new ownership as ACME by Full Circle BBQ. The building was given new life while preserving much of its vintage character, including the familiar roadside sign that has welcomed customers for more than 80 years.
UPDATE: The Acme is once again serving customers as ACME by Full Circle BBQ. The historic building and its classic roadside sign remain part of Fort Wayne's roadside landscape. 06-26
North Star Bar (Gone)
Fort Wayne, IN Photo courtesy Alan Culley
North Star Bar was a longtime neighborhood gathering place on Fort Wayne's east side, easily recognized by the glowing neon star perched atop its classic roadside sign. The bright marquee made the tavern hard to miss, drawing the attention of motorists traveling along East State Boulevard for decades. 12-07
The North Star became a neighborhood favorite, known for its relaxed atmosphere, Friday night fish fries, and classic tavern fare. Like many of Fort Wayne's corner bars, it served as a gathering place where generations of regulars stopped in to catch up with friends and neighbors.
Eventually, the North Star closed and the building found new life as A's Pub and Grub. While the business continued under new ownership, the iconic neon sign did not. Despite efforts by some local residents to preserve it, the landmark marquee was removed, ending the run of one of East State Boulevard's most recognizable roadside signs.
UPDATE: The North Star Bar is gone, and the building now operates as A's Pub and Grub. The distinctive neon star and vintage marquee have been removed, and their whereabouts remain unknown. 06-26
State Grill
Fort Wayne, IN Photo and info courtesy Alan Culley
The vintage neon sign at State Grill is one of those classic neighborhood bar signs that doesn't need a lot of flash to get your attention. The bright red lettering has been lighting up East State Boulevard for decades and remains one of Fort Wayne's surviving pieces of roadside neon. 12-07
Although the sign still reads "State Grill," the business is better known today as the State Bar. The tavern dates back to the years following the repeal of Prohibition and is believed to be the first place in Fort Wayne—and possibly all of Indiana—to serve legal beer after Prohibition ended in 1933.
State Bar has always been the kind of neighborhood place where the regulars gather for a drink and conversation. It hasn't changed much over the years, and that's part of its appeal. The old neon sign out front still gives the building plenty of character and serves as a reminder of a time when even the neighborhood tavern had a sign worth looking at.
UPDATE: State Bar remains open in Fort Wayne. The historic "State Grill" neon sign continues to survive and still lights the front of the building. 06-26
Ariston Cafe 
Red Cedar Inn (Rem.)
