Peterson Sorenson
Neon towers, playful mascots, and giant fiberglass figures once lit up America’s highways, turning ordinary roads into unforgettable journeys. These roadside signs went beyond advertisements—they became cultural landmarks as they captured the imagination of generations. Are you ready to discover the tales behind these roadside legends? Then, keep reading.
The Hollywood Sign
What started as a 1923 real estate advertisement in Los Angeles is now one of the most photographed icons on Earth. The sign originally included “land,” promoting a housing development. Standing 45 feet tall, it was officially shortened to “Hollywood” in 1949. Today, it symbolizes global entertainment royalty.
Welcome To Fabulous Las Vegas
Few signs scream American excess quite like the 25-foot neon archway ushering visitors onto the Las Vegas Strip. Designed in 1959 by Betty Willis, it still blazes in retro Googie style. It’s a favorite selfie spot for over 40 million tourists who visit the city annually.
Route 66 Signs
Highway shields for Route 66 became more than road markers—they evolved into pop culture artifacts. Created in 1926 and spanning more than 2,400 miles, the route connected states and shared countless stories along the way. Although officially removed from the highway system in 1985, its signage remains a pilgrimage point for nostalgia-chasers and road trip dreamers alike.
Burma-Shave Signs
In 1926, a shaving cream company introduced clever six-part rhymes on roadside signs. By the early 1960s, nearly 7,000 Burma-Shave signs appeared across highways in 45 states. Their witty verses made long drives more entertaining and helped pass the time during traffic.
Paul Bunyan And Babe The Blue Ox
In Bemidji, Minnesota, larger-than-life legends stand frozen in time. Paul Bunyan and his blue ox Babe were erected in 1937 and measure 18 and 10 feet tall, respectively. They’ve since become enduring figures of American folklore and roadside photo ops, as it has drawn thousands with their impossibly tall tales.
Muffler Men
Not exactly subtle, these fiberglass giants—some holding hot dogs or axes—began populating roadsides in the 1960s. Most towered around 20 feet tall and were originally designed to sell mufflers. With over 180 still standing, they’re quirky relics of mid-century consumer culture—and pure Americana kitsch.
The Giant Peach Water Tower
The Peachoid, a 135-foot water tower in Gaffney, South Carolina, resembles a giant peach and holds a million gallons of water. Built in 1981 to showcase the state’s peach production, it’s a quirky landmark off I-85, nicknamed “The Moon over Gaffney.” It was also featured in “House of Cards.”
The Thing?
Thousands of roadside billboards whisper: “What is The Thing?” Located off I-10 in Arizona, it’s one of the country’s longest-running tourist teases. The answer—inside a dusty exhibit—remains oddly underwhelming, yet the mystery fuels endless speculation. That intrigue keeps drivers pulling over just to find out.
The Stardust Motel Sign
Even after the Stardust Motel disappeared from Marfa, Texas, its glowing sign refused to fade into history. A throwback to mid-century neon design, the sign has taken on a second life as a cultural emblem. Artists and travelers alike still photograph it under desert skies.
The Reno Arch
Standing sentinel since 1926, the Reno Arch declares its city “The Biggest Little City in the World.” The version you see today, installed in 1987, replaced earlier designs but preserved the legacy. Lit up in vivid neon, the arch welcomes millions each year into downtown nightlife.
