Woodland Shopping Center – Tulsa, OK

The Woodland Shopping Center is just of Rt 44 In Tulsa. It is also the home to Lana Thai, the best Thai food in town. In this shot it looks like the lamp is lit, but I’m not so sure it wasn’t a trick of sunlight.

Sheet Metal Service – Oklahoma City, OK – Gone

Went to the Thunder game tonight and on the way we passed 10th & May. I was sad to see that the Sheet Metal Service sign was now a plastic imitation of its once glorious self. They have the same logo, but it just doesn’t pack the punch of this one. Nothing makes a great neon sign like a arm swinging a hammer.

Grace Cleaners – Oklahoma City, Ok

Grace Cleaners in at 529 W Main downtown Oklahoma City has been in business for 100 years. The sign is not that old, but the owner told me that it is one of a few porcelain signs still around. When I took this photo in 2006, the word “Night” was not working (I need to check this one out again). What makes this sign unique are the multiple colors, the chasing lights arrow and the flashing “day”/”night”. The owner at the cleaners told me that he has a local contact that obtains and repairs the old neon ballasts for him.

Western Capri – Tulsa, Oklahoma – gone

Back in 2005 my family stopped in the western side of Tulsa, Ok on route 44 (also old route 66). I asked the owner of the Western Capri if I could snap a few pictures. He was somewhat hesitant because the sign was not working 100%. I spoke with him and convinced him to let me snap a few photos. The odd part was that that I could only see one piece of neon that was flickering and the sign was in better shape than 99% of the signs I see out there. The sign ended up falling to the wrecking ball in 2006 and the rest of the story is here.

First is a full photo and then some ‘artsy’ ones that I like. The most unusual part of this sign was the square pillar on the top. Normally when I see those, they are round. This is a fantastic sign with some great elements: 4 colors, 3 fonts, huge boomerang arrow, square pillar, internally lit word (Western), outlined font (Capri & Motel) and the arrow flashed! Sad to see this one gone.

Springdale Shops – Oklahoma City, OK

The Springdale Shops are located on west 50th in Oklahoma City. This sign doesn’t light up but I find the yellow neon tubing fairly interesting.

Rite Way Cleaners – Oklahoma City, OK

On 50th, just west of the I-44, is Rite-Way Cleaners. The folks at the shop couldn’t tell me anything about the age of the sign, but I guess it dates back to the 60’s.

Income Tax $5 – Midwest City, OK

This has got to be one of my favorite signs. It is on the back of a garage of a private residence. I’ve never gotten up the nerve to ask about the age or history of this sign.

Uptown Center – Midwest City, OK

Yet another Midwest City sign. Not a great piece of work, but since the nearby shopping center is being updated, I assume that it will be vanishing soon.

Celebrity Club, Midwest City, OK

On Air Depot Blvd in Midwest City, this sign has the wildest font I have ever seen. I asked how old the sign is and was told that it dates back to the 60’s or 70’s

Lockheed Shopping Center, Midwest City, OK

The neon on this one is busted all to pieces, but it one of the largest remaining boomerang arrows that I have seen. Midwest City is the home of Tinker AFB, explaining the name Lockheed for the shopping center. Note the revolving red light on the right-most support post. They are currently updating the center and I fear that this sign will be torn down and replaced. It is on SE 15th east of Air Depot Blvd.

UPDATED 11/02/08: I’ve added a closeup of the other side of the sign.