Neon museum to light up downtown Edmonton

Posted on June 29, 2011 By Rob Drinkwater Culture, Front Slider

year, which specifically includes a neon sign museum in its policy objectives.

According to staff at the Artifacts Centre, there are signs from Mike’s News Stand, Georgia Baths, WW Arcade, The Pantages, Princess Theatre, Cliff’s Auto Parts, Canadian Furniture, and one that just says “Drugs” which hung near 97 St. and 103a Ave.

Some of the signs have already been moved to New Look Signs where they will be repaired, staff at the Artifacts Centre say.

Taylor said he and others who were working on the outdoor museum concept looked at about 10 different places downtown. One idea was for them to be in the square behind the Stanley Milner Library, while other ideas included alleys, or mounted high on poles.

He said they determined that the best way to display them would be on the side of a building since that was what the signs were originally built for, but it was tricky to find a spot where they wouldn’t be too close to apartments or condominiums where people might not enjoy the continuously flashing light.

Taylor said he doesn’t know, yet, whether the signs would be on the 104 St. side of the building or the 104 Ave. side, but noted he thinks it’s a good spot.

“It’s the northern anchor on what’s becoming the hottest street downtown,” said Taylor, referring to the upward progression of 104 St.

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“It’s also going to be a block away from the arena.”

Taylor said he hopes to see his personal favourite sign which he believes is in storage at Fort Edmonton Park. It used to be at the top of the Silverwood Dairy, which stood at the corner of Jasper Ave. and 109 St.

“It was a great white milk bottle and it was visible for a long way up Jasper,” he said.

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