Virginia Postrel's article "Signs of the Times" in the September 2006 Atlantic Monthly discusses the history and cultural value of America's vanishing commercial neon signs. If only more people in Kalamazoo had Postrel's insights. In June 2006 the Portage City Council voted to "relocate" the Holiday Motel sign at 5540 S. Westnedge, but inquisitive VK readers have been told that it was destroyed. If the sign was indeed trashed, all involved are even bigger fools yet, because according to the Atlantic article, motel neon signs like this have sold to collectors for prices up to $27,275.00 this past year. In any case the real value of such signs is their unique American style from days long gone. They should be restored, not chopped down. Must every street corner sport a bland brick & plastic CVS type facade? Visit this website for a tribute to neon signs that still exist throughout the land. (Above photo by Scotty Bud Melvin)
