This Boutique Hotel Brand Is Bringing Motor Lodges Into the 21st Century — But Keeping the Nostalgic Vibes Intact

CREDIT: COURTESY OF BLUEBIRD BY LARK

From Travel + Leisure: When Rob Blood, the founder of Lark Hotels, bought an old motel in Saratoga Springs, N.Y., he had a vision where road trippers could step back in time and enjoy a sense of nostalgia with the sophistication of a modern-day stay at the same time.

Cue the Spa City Motor Lodge — the first in what will eventually be a series of properties under the Bluebird by Lark brand aimed at capturing the spirit of road trips and a bygone era — that will open on June 4 with 42 guest rooms and suites all surrounding a shared indoor courtyard and coffee bar (where there used to be a pool), the company exclusively shared with Travel + Leisure.

Philadelphia’s Neon King Gets a Glowing Castle

en Davidson’s collection finally has a home. COURTESY NEON MUSEUM OF PHILADELPHIA

From Atlas Obscura: The philosopher Luis de Miranda once wrote that neon carries “the poetry of nights.” It’s a nice sentiment, and one Len Davidson would surely agree with.

Davidson was just a twenty-something working at the University of Florida in the 1970s when he and a friend were reminiscing about the old neon signs of their youth. A Philadelphia native, Davidson spoke wistfully of an old Pep Boys’ sign depicting company founders Manny, Jack, and Moe.

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The Story Behind St. Paul Skyline’s Most Recognizable Numeral

From WCCO: MINNEAPOLIS It’s one of the most iconic signs in our state, and if you’re driving through St. Paul you can’t miss the big, red numeral on top of the First National Bank building.

In this week’s Finding Minnesota, John Lauritsen goes to the top of “The 1st” for a history lesson.

The stately, can’t miss building that towers over Minnesota Street is nostalgic up and down, from the bank vaults in the basement to one of the oldest skyways in North America. But it’s at the very top, 32 floors up, where a recognizable beacon of red makes its stand.

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Iconic rooftop ‘Woollens’ sign in Sheffield saved by developers

The Woollens sign is a well-known landmark.

From The Star: The 68ft ‘Woollens for Signs’ advert on the firm’s former headquarters on Love Street will be restored and put on display at Kelham Island Museum which is already home to the much-loved ‘Made in Sheffield’ neon sign.

The landmark has survived thieves and vandals who have trashed the building, as well as years of exposure to the elements.

Now it has been dismantled in 78 sections.

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Harley Warrick: Mail Pouch Barn painter

From The Athens Messenger: If someone asked Harley Warrick the process of painting a “Chew Mail Pouch Tobacco” sign, he’d say, “I start with “e” in chew”. He didn’t use a stencil or a pattern, he simply started the “e”, and worked his way down.

Harley must have known what he was doing. He had been painting these iconic signs since 1946.

“Chew Mail Pouch Tobacco, Treat yourself to the best”, reads the message, painted usually in black and yellow, on thousands of barns throughout the U.S. These barns are cherished and admired by many. Not to say that they are excited about this wonderful tobacco product, but that they are witnessing an iconic American image from days gone by.

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