Dutch Mill (Gone)
Lexington, KY
Photo courtesy Devil Doll

Here's one of those old restaurant signs that probably looked a lot brighter back in the day. The Dutch Mill sign in Lexington still had plenty of character when this photo was taken, even though some of the neon looked like it was starting to come loose from the face.

The restaurant itself was a longtime local spot, the kind of place that became familiar simply because it had been there for years. And with a sign like this hanging out front, it was hard not to notice the Dutch Mill while passing through town.

By the time this shot was taken, the neon had definitely seen better days. A few tubes appeared to be missing or sagging, giving the whole sign that slightly worn look that somehow makes old roadside neon even more interesting.

The Dutch Mill eventually closed, and the sign was later removed from the property.

UPDATE: The Dutch Mill is gone and the original roadside sign no longer hangs at the Lexington location. 08-26

Kelly's
Lexington, KY
Photo courtesy Devil Doll

Sometimes the sign is about all you have to go on. This old wall sign for Kelly's was spotted in Lexington, Kentucky, with its simple lettering and traces of neon still hanging onto the building.

There's not much information around about Kelly's, including exactly what kind of business it was. It may have been a neighborhood restaurant or watering hole, but without an address or a little more to work with, that part remains a mystery.

Still, that's part of the fun of wandering around looking for old signs. You come across something like this tucked onto the side of a building, take the photo, and wonder how many years that neon once lit up the sidewalk below.

The current whereabouts of the Kelly's sign are unknown.

J.W. Davis Builder (Gone)
Lexington, KY
Photo courtesy Devil Doll

Driving along East High Street in Lexington, this is one of those signs that would make you slow down for a closer look. The J.W. Davis Builder & Real Estate marquee had a little model house sitting on top and, down at the bottom, an actual clock with the perfect sales pitch, "Time to Buy."

J.W. Davis Jr. was a major part of Lexington's postwar building boom. He developed more than 1,500 acres around town, including the Lansdowne and Brookhaven neighborhoods, filling former open land with the brick ranch houses that became such a familiar sight around Lexington. He later helped develop the Lansdowne Shoppes along Tates Creek Road.

Not sure if this was the original location for J.W. Davis, but the sign certainly looked like it had been keeping watch over East High Street for quite a while.

UPDATE: The building at 875 East High Street still stands, but the old J.W. Davis marquee, little house and "Time to Buy" clock have since been removed. 08-26

Farmers Jewelry
Lexington, KY
Photo courtesy Devil Doll

Some old neon signs disappear while others just keep on glowing. The Farmer's Jewelry blade sign still hangs over Euclid Avenue in Lexington, looking much the way it must have when the neighborhood was filled with cars sporting tailfins and lots more neon.

Bill and Jean Farmer opened the jewelry store in 1950, and it has remained a family business for more than 75 years. The store became a familiar part of Lexington's Chevy Chase neighborhood, selling everything from engagement rings to custom jewelry and repairs.

Fortunately, the sign survived right along with the business. The tall vertical marquee dates back to the early days of Farmer's and still features its original-style script lettering and neon. When Devil Doll stopped by, the tubes appeared to be glowing just fine, which is always nice to see on a sign that's been hanging around this long.

Farmer's Jewelry is still open at 821 Euclid Avenue, and the old neon sign remains out front. In a neighborhood where plenty has changed since 1950, this is one roadside landmark that hasn't gone anywhere.

UPDATE: Farmer's Jewelry remains open and family operated, and its vintage neon blade sign still hangs above Euclid Avenue. 08-26

Keswick Democratic Club (Gone)
Louisville, KY
Photo courtesy Devil Doll

This old marquee looks like it had already been hanging around for quite a few years when Devil Doll came across it. The Keswick Democratic Club, or simply KDC, was a neighborhood social and political club on Logan Street in Louisville.

Places like this were once scattered through city neighborhoods, part meeting hall, part social club and usually a good place to find out what was happening around the block. The Keswick club even had a basement bar, so apparently politics wasn't the only reason to stop by.

The weathered KDC sign hanging from the brick wall was a nice leftover from that era. Nothing fancy here, just an old metal marquee that had seen plenty of Louisville weather and looked every bit of it.

UPDATE: The Keswick Democratic Club has closed and the old clubhouse at 1127 Logan Street has been converted into a private residence. The KDC marquee photographed here has also been removed. 08-26

Oliver Insurance (Gone)
Berea, KY
Photo courtesy Devil Doll

Here's a rather fine old sign hanging over Chestnut Street in Berea. The L. Marion Oliver Insurance marquee has some great detailed lettering and just enough neon wrapped around it to make you wonder what it must have looked like glowing after dark.

The insurance agency operated from 301 Chestnut Street, not far from Berea College and the older commercial part of town. Unlike the plastic box signs that eventually took over just about everywhere, this one had a little craftsmanship to it. The painted lettering, border and projecting metal shape give it the kind of personality that made even an insurance office worth stopping for a photo.

L. Marion Oliver Insurance eventually disappeared from the Chestnut Street storefront as the business became associated with Reynolds Insurance Agency.

UPDATE: The old building at 301 Chestnut Street still stands, but the L. Marion Oliver Insurance marquee has since been removed. 08-26

Bridges Smith Paint (Gone)
Louisville, KY
Photo courtesy Devil Doll

Now here's a sign that could stop you along the road. The Bridges, Smith & Co. marquee in downtown Louisville featured a big paint bucket hanging out over the sidewalk, looking like it was ready to pour its contents right onto the sign below. "The Paint People" certainly knew how to advertise.

Bridges Smith had been around since 1875 and eventually made its home at 118-122 East Main Street. The old brick building dated back to Louisville's warehouse days and was later given an Art Deco facelift. But for roadside fans, it was that paint bucket sign that really made the place.

The bucket and marquee are gone now, but the building still stands. Look along the brick walls and you can still find the old painted Bridges Smith advertising, including "The Paint People" and "Since 1875." Not quite as flashy as a giant paint bucket hanging over your head, but still a nice reminder of what once occupied this stretch of Main Street.

UPDATE: Bridges Smith is gone from its longtime Main Street home and the familiar paint bucket marquee has been removed. The building has been repurposed, while portions of the old painted wall advertising still survive. 08-26

Pet's Palace (Gone)
Louisville, KY
Photo courtesy Devil Doll

Here's one for the animal lovers. Pet's Palace in Louisville promised royal treatment for your furry friends, and the old neon sign out front certainly gave the place a little roadside personality. A crown, a palace, and pets. What more could you ask for?

Pet's Palace got its start in the late 1950s and spent many years at the Bon Air Manor Shopping Center. This wasn't just a place for dog food and goldfish either. Back in the day, the shop was known for carrying all sorts of animals, including some rather exotic residents like monkeys.

The business eventually left Bon Air and moved to Goldsmith Lane around 2011, where Pet's Palace is still around today. The old neon didn't make the move, though, and the current store has much more modern signage.

UPDATE: The original Pet's Palace neon sign was later spotted for sale at an antique mall in Indiana around 2017. It has since been sold and its current whereabouts are unknown. The old Bon Air storefront has been repurposed, while Pet's Palace continues to operate on Goldsmith Lane. 08-26

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