A man trekked all over North America in an RV to take 50,000 photos of vintage neon signs — here are some of the best shots

Melissa WileyAug 12, 2020, 01:36 IST

Italian Kitchen neon sign in Spokane, WA (cropped).John Barnes / Neon Road Trip

Seattle-based photographer John Barnes spent 2.5 years traveling the US and Canada in an RV searching for vintage neon signs.
A form of advertisement, neon signage once dominated cityscapes in the 1940s, '50s, and '60s. Today, most have been replaced by cheaper plastic signs, and the vintage neon signs are few and far between.
In total, Barnes visited 38 states and five Canadian provinces, taking 50,000 photos of neon signs along the way.
This past March, Barnes published "Neon Road Trip," a collection of highlights from his trip.
From a happy-go-lucky Italian chef to a dolled-up woman eating fried chicken, here are 22 of the most eye-catching vintage neon signs Barnes discovered as well as his tips for where to see neon signs today.

Seattle-based photographer John Barnes has been fascinated with the art of neon signs, or 'liquid fire,' since he was a boy in the 1960s.

Gunther's Ice Cream neon sign in Sacramento, California. John Barnes / Neon Road Trip

Source: Neon Road Trip

Barnes remembers visiting New York City and seeing a dizzying amount of elaborate signs advertising shops and restaurants, from cigarettes that appeared to blow smoke to coffee cups that let off steam. They were "just phenomenal," he said.

Reddy Kilowatt neon sign in Butte, Montana. John Barnes / Neon Road Trip

Source: Neon Road Trip

Barnes remembers visiting New York City and seeing a dizzying amount of elaborate signs advertising shops and restaurants, from cigarettes that appeared to blow smoke to coffee cups that let off steam. They were "just phenomenal," he said.

Five years ago during to a trip to Las Vegas, Barnes was troubled to learn that the gas-lit neon signs that once dominated the cityscape were few and far between.

Martini glass neon sign in Las Vegas, Nevada. John Barnes / Neon Road Trip

Source: Neon Road Trip

Several months later, Barnes packed up his life in Seattle and moved into a Roadtrek Simplicity to go in search of the signs that remained across the US and Canada.

Barnes' Roadtrek Simplicity. Courtesy John Barnes

Source: Neon Road Trip

Over the next two and half years, Barnes traveled to 38 US states and five Canadian provinces, taking over 50,000 images of neon signs.

Cactus Jack neon sign in Carson City, Nevada. John Barnes / Neon Road Trip

Source: Neon Road Trip

Barnes originally expected Las Vegas and New York City to have the most neon signs, but that turned out to not be the case.

Binion's Gambling Hall & Hotel neon sign in Las Vegas, Nevada. John Barnes / Neon Road Trip

Source: Neon Road Trip

"Vancouver, British Columbia, probably had more neon signs per capita than any other city in North America," he told Business Insider.

Heights neon sign in Vancouver, British Columbia. John Barnes / Neon Road Trip

Source: Neon Road Trip

Before heading to a new city, Barnes would map out as many signs as he could identify online, locating them by day and returning to photograph them at night. Often, he would spend hours photographing one sign in order to get the best angle.

Italian Kitchen neon sign in Spokane, Washington. John Barnes / Neon Road Trip

Source: Neon Road Trip

Before heading to a new city, Barnes would map out as many signs as he could identify online, locating them by day and returning to photograph them at night. Often, he would spend hours photographing one sign in order to get the best angle.

About one-third of the signs he photographed he found after arriving in a city, like the Mint Bar in Sheridan, Wyoming.

Mint Bar neon sign in Sheridan, Wyoming. John Barnes / Neon Road Trip

Source: Neon Road Trip

Barnes told Business Insider that the biggest drawback was looking for a sign and realizing it was no longer active due to neglect or moisture seeping in over time.

Swan Dive neon sign in Austin, Texas. John Barnes / Neon Road Trip

Source: Neon Road Trip

Fortunately, in the case of this Monte Rio, California, pink elephant sign, the owner was willing to drive 20 miles out his way to turn it on.

Pink Elephant neon sign in Monte Rio, California. John Barnes / Neon Road Trip

Source: Neon Road Trip

Over the course of his trip, Barnes learned that the disappearance of neon signs was due in part to the emergence and adoption of cheaper plastic signs in the 70s, he told Business Insider.

Lucy's Fried Chicken neon sign in Austin, Texas. John Barnes / Neon Road Trip

Source: Neon Road Trip

Over the course of his trip, Barnes learned that the disappearance of neon signs was due in part to the emergence and adoption of cheaper plastic signs in the 70s, he told Business Insider.

Today, most of the businesses with neon signs are mom and pop shops, he said.

Chito's Shoe Repair neon sign in San Diego, California. John Barnes / Neon Road Trip

Source: Neon Road Trip

While signs are unique to each business, Barnes noticed themes across signs in the US and Canada, such as the use of diving ladies and mermaids to represent motels with swimming pools.

Starlite Motel neon sign in Mesa, Arizona. John Barnes / Neon Road Trip

Source: Neon Road Trip

While signs are unique to each business, Barnes noticed themes across signs in the US and Canada, such as the use of diving ladies and mermaids to represent motels with swimming pools.

Seafood restaurants often incorporate crabs and other sea creatures into their signs, Barnes found.

Fanciscan Crab Rest neon sign in San Francisco, California. John Barnes / Neon Road Trip

Source: Neon Road Trip

'Cowboys and Indians' is another popular motif, both in and outside of the western US.

Million Dollar Cowboy Bar neon sign in Jackson, Wyoming. John Barnes / Neon Road Trip

Source: Neon Road Trip

Barnes told Business Insider that if he could do his trip over again, he would do more research ahead of time. "Like there's a Mr. Peanut sign in Columbus, Ohio. I was in Columbus, Ohio, and I didn't know it was there," he said.

Gas station neon sign as the Timpanogos Harley-Davidson shop in Lindon, Utah. John Barnes / Neon Road Trip

Source: Neon Road Trip

Barnes told Business Insider that if he could do his trip over again, he would do more research ahead of time. "Like there's a Mr. Peanut sign in Columbus, Ohio. I was in Columbus, Ohio, and I didn't know it was there," he said.

Since his trip, Barnes has noticed a resurgence of interest in vintage neon signs. In San Francisco, for example, locals Al Barna and Randall Ann Homan offer regular neon walking tours.

Castro Theatre neon sign in San Francisco, California. John Barnes / Neon Road Trip

Source: Neon Road Trip

Since his trip, Barnes has noticed a resurgence of interest in vintage neon signs. In San Francisco, for example, locals Al Barna and Randall Ann Homan offer regular neon walking tours.

The Museum of Neon Art in Glendale, California, offers neon sign-making classes.

The Tinder Box neon sign at the Museum of Neon Art in Glendale, California. John Barnes / Neon Road Trip

Source: Neon Road Trip

Barnes also knows about several private collectors in the US who are now selling vintage signs for $20,000 to $30,000 a piece.

Tower Records neon sign in Sacramento, CA. John Barnes / Neon Road Trip

Source: Neon Road Trip, Museum of Neon Art

"People are getting fascinated about Americana because it goes back to simpler times, less complicated times," he said.

True Blue Tattoo neon sign in Austin, Texas. John Barnes / Neon Road Trip

Source: Neon Road Trip

If US travelers want to see neon signs outside a museum, Barnes recommends visiting Seattle, Austin, and San Francisco and consulting the website Roadside Architecture or the Facebook group Vintage Neon Heaven for pointers.

Twice Sold Tales neon sign in Seattle, Washington. John Barnes / Neon Road Trip

Source: Neon Road Trip

If US travelers want to see neon signs outside a museum, Barnes recommends visiting Seattle, Austin, and San Francisco and consulting the website Roadside Architecture or the Facebook group Vintage Neon Heaven for pointers.

For those who prefer to stay home, Barnes' new book "Neon Road Trip" walks readers through his trip highlights.

Cover art for "Neon Road Trip" by John Barnes. John Barnes / Neon Road Trip

Source: Neon Road Trip

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A man trekked all over North America in an RV to take 50,000 photos of vintage neon signs — here are some of the best shots

Seattle-based photographer John Barnes has been fascinated with the art of neon signs, or 'liquid fire,' since he was a boy in the 1960s.

Barnes remembers visiting New York City and seeing a dizzying amount of elaborate signs advertising shops and restaurants, from cigarettes that appeared to blow smoke to coffee cups that let off steam. They were "just phenomenal," he said.

Five years ago during to a trip to Las Vegas, Barnes was troubled to learn that the gas-lit neon signs that once dominated the cityscape were few and far between.

Several months later, Barnes packed up his life in Seattle and moved into a Roadtrek Simplicity to go in search of the signs that remained across the US and Canada.

Over the next two and half years, Barnes traveled to 38 US states and five Canadian provinces, taking over 50,000 images of neon signs.

Barnes originally expected Las Vegas and New York City to have the most neon signs, but that turned out to not be the case.

"Vancouver, British Columbia, probably had more neon signs per capita than any other city in North America," he told Business Insider.

Before heading to a new city, Barnes would map out as many signs as he could identify online, locating them by day and returning to photograph them at night. Often, he would spend hours photographing one sign in order to get the best angle.

About one-third of the signs he photographed he found after arriving in a city, like the Mint Bar in Sheridan, Wyoming.

Barnes told Business Insider that the biggest drawback was looking for a sign and realizing it was no longer active due to neglect or moisture seeping in over time.

Fortunately, in the case of this Monte Rio, California, pink elephant sign, the owner was willing to drive 20 miles out his way to turn it on.

Over the course of his trip, Barnes learned that the disappearance of neon signs was due in part to the emergence and adoption of cheaper plastic signs in the 70s, he told Business Insider.

Today, most of the businesses with neon signs are mom and pop shops, he said.

While signs are unique to each business, Barnes noticed themes across signs in the US and Canada, such as the use of diving ladies and mermaids to represent motels with swimming pools.

Seafood restaurants often incorporate crabs and other sea creatures into their signs, Barnes found.

'Cowboys and Indians' is another popular motif, both in and outside of the western US.

Barnes told Business Insider that if he could do his trip over again, he would do more research ahead of time. "Like there's a Mr. Peanut sign in Columbus, Ohio. I was in Columbus, Ohio, and I didn't know it was there," he said.

Since his trip, Barnes has noticed a resurgence of interest in vintage neon signs. In San Francisco, for example, locals Al Barna and Randall Ann Homan offer regular neon walking tours.

The Museum of Neon Art in Glendale, California, offers neon sign-making classes.

Barnes also knows about several private collectors in the US who are now selling vintage signs for $20,000 to $30,000 a piece.

"People are getting fascinated about Americana because it goes back to simpler times, less complicated times," he said.

If US travelers want to see neon signs outside a museum, Barnes recommends visiting Seattle, Austin, and San Francisco and consulting the website Roadside Architecture or the Facebook group Vintage Neon Heaven for pointers.

For those who prefer to stay home, Barnes' new book "Neon Road Trip" walks readers through his trip highlights.