Lighting the way: The Englert’s historic marquee shines once more
The crowd gathers (safely distanced) in front of the Englert Theatre to watch the marquee lighting. Friday, Dec. 18, 2020. Addison Arp / Little Village
From Little Village: On Friday, Dec. 18, the historic Englert Theatre lit up the icy streets of downtown Iowa City as its newly restored marquee shone above in all its 1950s-vintage glory. With exposed ankles turning red and propane heaters blazing, only the clouds of frigid breath were missing underneath an array of masks, Santa Claus hats and the flush of hope.
The massive project had been in the works since March, funded in large part by the multi-million-dollar Strengthen • Grow • Evolve partnership with FilmScene, and the love and cheers below the marquee on Friday felt more like a beginning than the closing act as the new year draws near.
Famous fluorescent sign atop Rehoboth Beach salt-water taffy store coming down — but could resurface nearby
The Dolles candy store was destroyed along with much of the boardwalk and its businesses during a 1962 storm. State of Delaware
From WHYY: For more than a half century, one noteworthy sight has loomed over visitors to the boardwalk in Rehoboth Beach.
It’s the big orange Dolles sign that sits atop the salt-water taffy store of the same name. The sign was erected in 1962 when Dolles was rebuilt after a three-day storm destroyed much of the boardwalk.
But next summer the landmark will be gone from its customary perch, and could disappear forever from the oceanfront.
St. Louis’ Historic Eat-Rite Diner Has Permanently Closed
From Riverfront Times: On the heels of the closing of Mangia Italiano, it looks like we also have to say goodbye to another St. Louis institution, the Eat-Rite Diner.
We will have to find a new diner to haunt at 4 a.m. for a slinger or a smashed burger because not only is St. Louis’ historic Eat-Rite has permanently closed.
Rene Knott, beloved local Today in St. Louis co-anchor, tweeted a photo today taken by KSDK news photographer Joe Young of the Chouteau Avenue building appearing to be entirely closed down.
‘Look at what we pass every day.’ Charlotte’s history, told through signs
Lawing said South 21’s neon sign is one of his favorites because of its iconic shape and dynamic red and white flashing neon lights. Christopher Lawing
From The Charlotte Observer: Christopher Lawing knows everything there is to know about Charlotte signs. Just ask.
“Oh, that sign,” he immediately answered an audience member’s question about the location of a vague sign during a recent talk hosted by The Charlotte Museum of History.
“The Martin’s Hardware sign… If you go to Ed’s Tavern, which is where the old hardware store used to be, the old neon sign has been moved inside. You can look up when you’re dining in and see the sign right above you.”
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Decades of segregation and mistrust complicate efforts to rekindle vibrant history of Las Vegas’ Historic Westside
Showgirls on the Moulin Rouge float during the Helldorado parade on May 5, 1955. Photo courtesy UNLV Special Collections/ Don T. Walker Collection.
From The Nevada Independent: Just a stone’s throw from Las Vegas’ dazzling downtown sits what looks like a ghost town in comparison. Vacant lots and boarded up buildings sit in stark contrast to Glitter Gulch’s kaleidoscope of casinos and bustling crowds of tourists drunk on Las Vegas.
But it wasn’t always this way.
Now known as the Historic Westside, the neighborhood once gave the Las Vegas Strip of the ’50s a run for its money. Segregation in the “Mississippi of the West” kept Black Las Vegans off of the Strip and led to Jackson Avenue — commonly referred to as Jackson Street — becoming its own kind of Strip for the Westside, brimming with bars, restaurants and clubs.
At the edge of the neighborhood on Bonanza Road, the Moulin Rouge Hotel and Casino— the first racially integrated casino in Las Vegas — lived a short but glamorous life as the neighborhood’s crown jewel.