Neon signs represent the intersection of art, science, and commerce.

But I like to think of them as magic.

Neon signs started appearing in the United States in the 1920s, and these exuberant one-of-a-kind creations quickly caught on. Neon signs began to line main streets and back roads, illuminate movie marquees and doughnut shops, and beckon motorists to motels and diners. My first book, New England Neon, celebrated the region's neon landscape.

"No More Ice Cream" A few years ago I joined a group of fellow sign enthusiasts to photograph (and enjoy) the mid-century delights of Wildwood, New Jersey. Driving into town, the first place we saw was this abandoned ice cream stand. After three day
"Best Licks in the East" Tucked between a fast-food restaurant and a used-car lot, Frosty Freeze serves cones, frappes, and sundaes and offers -- as the neon ice-cream cone says -- "The best licks in the East."
"Ice Cream Crossing" Who wouldn't want an ice cream crossing in front of their homes? Welcome to Dairy Freeze where an ambiguously Indigenous girl decked out in mittens and furs invites customers to partake of her frozen treats.
"Roll the Dice" The streets of Reno were once lined with motels that offered lodging for visitors attracted by the city's casinos and nightlife. Many of those motels are gone today, demolished to make room for bigger projects, and those that remain p
"Where's the Beach?" What can I say? I'm a sucker for signs with arrows, and the sign for Weirs Beach on Lake Winnipesaukee is one of the best.
"Last Picture Show" The first drive-in the United States opened in Camden, New Jersey, in 1933, but the new theaters did not catch on until in-car speakers became available about a decade later. By 1958, the number of drive-ins peaked at 4,063, but
"Simply the Best" Skip’s Snack Bar in Merrimac (MA) boasted a spectacular roadside sign with neon letters and flashing arrows. The family-owned restaurant opened in 1947 and was famous for two things: Hand-cut curly French fries and Cruise Nights. On
"Faded Arrow" Sometimes only a hint remains. This arrow and ghost sign were at a Providence location of Benny's. Benny's was a family-owned retail chain in southeastern New England that sold everything from ice skates to clamming rakes. Benny's store
"Don't Call Them Hot Dogs" Hot weiners are a Rhode Island specialty. They are small veal and pork links, served in a steamed bun, and topped with celery salt, yellow mustard, chopped onions, and meat sauce. These early fast-food joints originated wit
"Kowloon" The Wong family bought a modest 50-seat restaurant called the Mandarin House on Route 1 in 1958 and transformed it into a 1,200-seat enterprise known as the Kowloon Restaurant and Cocktail Lounge. A 30-foot Tiki god greets customers, themed
"Cheese Dogs" Are you a night owl? A fan of vintage diners? Or maybe you're just craving a hot cheese dog. This abandoned diner in Fall River was a DeRaffele model built in 1956 to replace an older -- and smaller -- Worcester Lunch Car (No. 786). Ot
"Benny's" click to enlarge Wall Preview Save to Favorites Email a Friend Share Benny's $ 48.00 or 4 interest-free payments of $12.00 with ⓘ Add a Message type a message here... Number of product units 1 1 Medium Smooth Fine Art Paper II Sm
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