Where do you go when you’re looking for a quick recharge? To the National Neon Sign Museum in The Dalles, Oregon, of course!
On the main floor, you’ll see a rainbow of neon colors. The signs on display are from the late 1800s through the 1960s.
Do you recognize any of these iconic signs?
How about this wall filled with Coca Cola signs?
You can see car dealerships and gas station signs here.
The flying horse from Mobile has always been one of my favorites.
The one from Cadillac is colorful and classy.
Some make you smile.
Even when not lit up, the artwork is impressive. I liked these three whimsical signs.
Looking back
In another section of the main floor, there is a brief history of the process.
Signs from businesses line this room’s walls. I especially liked the 3-dimensional Regal cowboy boot.
French engineer and inventor Georges Claude is credited with inventing and commercializing neon lighting. He obtained a patent on his System of Illuminating by Luminescent Tubes on January 19, 1915. Claude held a monopoly on this type of product until the early 1930s.
The photo below, taken at the 1910 Paris Motor Show, shows the first public display of neon lights in the world.
The first picture below shows an early sign for the Claude Neon Sign business. The second shows the Claude Neon Float in the 1929 Shrine Electrical Pageant in Los Angeles, California.
National Neon Sign Museum Ballroom
Upstairs, there’s a large room, set up to look like an old town, called the Ballroom. As you may have guessed, you can rent it out for events.
You can see Medich’s BBQ restaurant and a shoe repair business below.
This picture shows Town Pride Frozen Custard restaurant.
Here’s a Philco store, complete with the iconic dog.
This shows a hat store, the BBQ restaurant, and the Vincent Hotel.
When we visited a week ago, they told us to stay tuned for big news. We just learned the National Neon Sign Museum was selected as the new home for the historic Jantzen Beach Carousel. Since the carousel uses more than 1,300 lightbulbs, it’s a good fit for the Museum.
Once restored, it will be placed on a lot next to the Museum. This large carousel measures 67 feet across and 28 feet high.
This carousel was located in Venice, California in 1921, then moved to Portland, Oregon in 1928. It operated at Jantzen Beach, and at another location nearby, until 2012. The carousel was donated to Restore Oregon in 2017. They will work in partnership with the Museum to repair and repaint the carousel’s 72 horses (and 10 spares).
What a cool place! But a little hard on the eyes (lol).
Yeah, Sandy, it was great and BRIGHT!
Thank you for sharing the Neon Museum pictures. Great news about the Jansen Beach carousel moving to the Neon Museum.
Thanks, Ralph! I’d like to see that carousel.
Such a fun choice for the week Siobhan. Proud to say I recognized many of the signs (or should I be more embarrassed LOL?). I wonder if Georges Claud became wealthy or famous for his amazing invention??
Thanks, Tina! Yes, we recognized some of the signs as well. Yes, Claude monopolized the business for quite a while, but there were lawsuits challenging his patents and, by the the late 1930s, plenty of competing neon manufacturers.
Siobhan, Thanks for the history lesson. So happy to see the Portland Merry-Go-Round will be preserved.
You’re welcome, Suzy! 🙂 Yes, they chose a good spot for the carousel.
Such a cool place to visit and recharge your brain and soul. Each image is a beautiful story!
Thanks! It’s not very big, but it’s full of light.
Wonderful place! So glad the carousel will be there! Cant wait to see it!
Yes, it was great, Anne! I’m looking forward to seeing the carousel as well.
That would do it Siobhan 🙂
An enlightening experience! 😉
Wow, super cool 😎
Thanks, Arati! 🙂
Oh wow. Finally a reason to spend time in the Dalles! I’m very into quirky museums.
Yes, it was definitely quirky! They have LOTS of cool murals there as well.
What a fun museum, I love seeing all those old neon signs! And it would be quite something to go to an event in that ballroom 🙂
Yes, it was a fun museum, Sarah! The Ballroom would be a unique venue for an event.
Yet another very unique and intriguing post!
Thanks! I like finding things that are out of the ordinary.
A creative and fun approach to the challenge, Siobhan.
Thank you, Donna! 😀
Wow! What an interesting museum, Siobhan, I never heard of a neon sign museum before. Also, 1300 bulbs! glad that they will reserve the classic carousel! I wonder if they will change the bulbs to more energy saving types ahaha
Yeah, it was a fun place to stop. Good idea on changing to more energy efficient bulbs for the carousel!
Thank you for the tour of this museum. Fun to walk through these signs. Great take onE
Thanks, Amy! It was fun to be there.
I’m so glad that the Carousel is going to a new home to be restored and loved! This tour of the neon light museum is fantastic. I’ve never been there, but this is an inspiration to make a day trip! Have you been to the Albany, Oregon Carousel Museum? It recharges the batteries and is an example of how a community can revive the joy of these early joy rides!
Thanks, Lindy! Yes, I was happy to learn the carousel will be moved there. No, I haven’t been to the Carousel Museum. I’ll add it to my list. 😀
This is a must see museum Siobhan. I love neon and to be surrounded by its color and light is a big WOW. You did a great job photographing the signs, etc.
Thank you, Anne! It was a bit challenging to do them justice in a picture.
Bet some of those pieces could fetch a pretty penny these days.
Yeah, you’re probably right!