Losing Neat Old Stuff: Old Gas Station and Old Sign

Here in Fox Lake, Illinois, along US-12, we have lost two things that harken back to an older era in the past two months.

Most recent was the demolition of an old gas station, dating back to at least the 1930s and possibly 1920s. It was a small station with glass blocks at either end and the remains of a pump area out front. Not much to look at, but still a bit of history.

Then, a few months ago, the American Legion in Fox Lake took down their old art deco, probably 30s-40s, neon sign. It had been bought from a Legion Post in Rockford in the 50s and was starting to get in bad shape, with all its neon tubing shattered.

It has been replaced by one of those moving, flashing signs.

The old sign has been cut in half, painted and there is talk of putting one side back up on the side of the building so am hoping they at least do that.

I had even offered to deejay for free to raise money to save the old sign and fix the neon.

Guess I Won't Have to Do That Now. --RoadDog