Hello there — time for a little weekend getaway. Today, it was all about Fresno — a treasure trove of neon signs and other stuff. I left after work on Friday night and got the dogs a good run in at the doggie beach in Santa Barbara. I managed to get some neon shots en route to Fresno.
[Quick tip or reminder — clicking on the photos gives you a larger view.]
I always wanted to see this one at night in Lompoc. Unfortunately, the rice bowl sign on top is barely lit:
But more unfortunately, there was not a soul in the place on a Friday night. The owner said there’s a new Applebee’s nearby and everybody’s going there. I felt compelled to get something just to throw a few dollars their way. But I’m the only person I know that hates Chinese food. So, if you’re in Lompoc or anywhere near — do what I didn’t do & give this place some business. The restaurant opened in 1936… but for how much longer? Check out the lovely interior:
I’ve got a ton of photos ready for this blog — so I’ll keep the chitchat minimal. It’s after midnight anyway & tomorrow will be another big sprint from sunup to sundown. Work on Monday…
Today’s shooting began in Lemoore. The former A&W Teen Burger at the Forty One Cafe has always had funky feet — but now he is really ominously listing to the side:
From Hanford:
From Caruthers:
From Selma:
And now, on to Fresno. I have no idea how that arrow got crunched like that. Low flying plane?
Sorry about the chain-link. A real head-scratcher. Why would someone build their house or office in this shape?
A couple from Fowler. I’m pretty sure I read somewhere that this “Fowler-this-way” sign was restored recently. That yellow arrow looks new but the blue porcelain enamel has enough dings that I’m convinced it’s old & must have been given a good scrubbing:
A lovely rusty crusty:
And back to Fresno. Here’s a vintage postcard of the California Motel with this sign:
http://www.flickr.com/photos/29574002@N00/5901965454/
Now the place seems to be operating as some sort of correctional facility — with razor wire on top of the fence & guys playing basketball:
A couple from the Ayres Motel:
So much to love here:
I saw two or three of these dancing sign-spinner guys today. Mynah birds? It must be unbelievably hot in that costume!
The last time I was in Fresno in 2008, this sign looked like this:
and today: (ugh)
A pretty one from the Tower District — the store is still open:
Originally, the Leilani restaurant — a tiki place. The building is still there but I’m sure no Polynesian flavor inside. This palm tree sign had nice detail:
http://www.flickr.com/photos/51025643@N00/46256758/
Later, this sign was painted black:
http://www.flickr.com/photos/7211280@N04/2394108157/
So, this is actually an improvement:
In 2008, this 1940s building was sadly neglected and vacant. I have read that it was originally the administration building for the shopping center in which it is located — and that it was a women’s clothing store. I don’t know in which order or which, if either, uses is true:
Anyway, I am glad to see it is now spruced up — and used as a storage facility office:
Signs, signs, everywhere there are signs in Fresno. Wonderfully, redundant arrows:
Fun fonts:
Multi-media:
This one was in Clovis — but there’s a similar sign in Fresno:
Fresno — still a beauty salon:
And since I usually end these Saturday night posts with some neon — here are a couple of shots from Fresno. The Tower Theatre (a close-up of the sputnik at night and in motion over at my Flickr stream tonight:
http://www.flickr.com/photos/agilitynut/10240523443/
And the Tokyo Garden:
I’ll be shooting lots of stuff tomorrow as I inch my way home. I’ll try to get you the wrap-up blog post on Monday night or Tuesday.
**************
Don’t forget to check out the “good stuff” from today that’s over at Flickr:
http://www.flickr.com/photos/agilitynut/
Most of the photos I post here at the blog are of rusty signs & funky buildings not “worthy” of my website — but stuff that deserves attention anyway. What I post to the Flickr stream is the “fancier” highlights from the day.
RoadArch.com companion 