A Galaxy of Neon
BY JOHNNIE AMERICA
First appeared in Route 66 New Mexico magazine (Vol. 30, No. 4)
“Looking west on Central Avenue from the Santa Fe Railroad overpass, Albuquerque is reputed to have the most brightly lighted main street in America. This galaxy of neon makes it an easily believed fact.”
That is the caption on the reverse side of a postcard showing a nighttime view of downtown Albuquerque. A galaxy of neon! Yes, Albuquerque was a neon oasis with hundreds of neon signs beckoning tourists and locals. Motels, cafes, curio shops, gas stations, movie theaters, retail stores, bars, and even banks announced their presence with neon. David Kammer, in his report, “The Historical and Architectural Resources of Route 66 Through New Mexico,” cites the fact that in 1955, 98 motels lined Route 66 in Albuquerque. Well, then, it is very likely each motel had a neon sign.
98, 99, 100, 101….120…..150….200. Just how many neon signs were there on Route 66 in Albuquerque?
The closer the traveler got to downtown Albuquerque, the brighter the spectacle, as illustrated in the collection of postcard images. How impressive it must have been! Add the storefront lighting, the auto headlights and taillights, blinking traffic signals, overhead streetlights, a big bright moon, a scattering of stars… what a dazzling sight!
That is the caption on the reverse side of a postcard showing a nighttime view of downtown Albuquerque. A galaxy of neon! Yes, Albuquerque was a neon oasis with hundreds of neon signs beckoning tourists and locals. Motels, cafes, curio shops, gas stations, movie theaters, retail stores, bars, and even banks announced their presence with neon. David Kammer, in his report, “The Historical and Architectural Resources of Route 66 Through New Mexico,” cites the fact that in 1955, 98 motels lined Route 66 in Albuquerque. Well, then, it is very likely each motel had a neon sign.
98, 99, 100, 101….120…..150….200. Just how many neon signs were there on Route 66 in Albuquerque?
The closer the traveler got to downtown Albuquerque, the brighter the spectacle, as illustrated in the collection of postcard images. How impressive it must have been! Add the storefront lighting, the auto headlights and taillights, blinking traffic signals, overhead streetlights, a big bright moon, a scattering of stars… what a dazzling sight!
Larry Plath, with his brother Johnny Plath, were sign builders who owned Southwest Outdoor Electric. Larry remembers those glory days. “There was a big demand for neon signage and a number of sign companies served Albuquerque. Zeon Neon, Western Neon, Brite-Lite Neon and Southwest Outdoor Electric were players. The competition inspired a lot of creativity to try to outdo each other. Although there was competition, there was a mutual respect, and in a sense we were all one big bright family. Some of the great tube-benders working in Albuquerque were Jerry Pelletier, Doug Mason. Larry Swanson, Bennie Vigil, Robert Rendazzo and Richard Miller. We all took a lot of pride in our creations.”
As the photo below from 1969 shows, Route 66 still cut a bright path through Albuquerque, but it was a time when plastic face signs were starting to invade the streetscape. Conoco, Travel Lodge and Mobil plastic signs can be seen among the Aztec Motel, Premier Motel and Nob Hill Motel neon signs. Neon signs were beginning to be regarded as urban blight, antiquated and outdated while the plastic-faced sign represented modernism. Out with the old and in with the new.
As the photo below from 1969 shows, Route 66 still cut a bright path through Albuquerque, but it was a time when plastic face signs were starting to invade the streetscape. Conoco, Travel Lodge and Mobil plastic signs can be seen among the Aztec Motel, Premier Motel and Nob Hill Motel neon signs. Neon signs were beginning to be regarded as urban blight, antiquated and outdated while the plastic-faced sign represented modernism. Out with the old and in with the new.
Vintage Albuquerque Route 66 Neon Streetscapes. Photograph by Ernst Haas (1921-1986). Looking East on Route 66 in Albuquerque’s Nob Hill District—1969.
So it was in the 1970s, 1980s and 1990s but as the 21st century arrived, the mass-produced plastic signs became increasingly boring and dull and represented a different kind of urban blight. Folks started to cherish the classic neon that remained. When a classic neon was sandwiched between two plastic signs in the streetscape, neon stood out as brighter, more colorful, more creative, more attention-getting and more artful. In fact neon became regarded as street art and as folk art. This led to a neon revival that continues to this day.
Fortunately, a few tube-benders are still practicing their art in Albuquerque, such as Robert Randazzo, who has his colorful studio and workshop located on Route 66 in the Nob Hill area of Albuquerque. There are still dozens of classic neon signs that light up Route 66 through Albuquerque, including the Hiland Theater, the KiMo Theatre, the Dog House, the El Don Motel, Garcia’s Cafe and the Western View Steak House. Then there is the glorious spectacle of the Route 66 Diner. In addition, classic neons have been restored recently such as the De Anza Motor Lodge, the Monterey Motel and the El Vado Motel. New neon signs are also making an appearance, such as the Route 66 Veterinary sign.
“Albuquerque’s retail shopping district famed for its neon lighting—and is at night a fascinating fairyland of multi-colored lights.” That’s another caption from a 1950s postcard presenting a nighttime view of downtown Albuquerque.
Do you want some “neon kicks?” Cruise the 17 miles of Central Avenue (old Route 66) in Albuquerque.
It’s a glorious galaxy of neon.
Fortunately, a few tube-benders are still practicing their art in Albuquerque, such as Robert Randazzo, who has his colorful studio and workshop located on Route 66 in the Nob Hill area of Albuquerque. There are still dozens of classic neon signs that light up Route 66 through Albuquerque, including the Hiland Theater, the KiMo Theatre, the Dog House, the El Don Motel, Garcia’s Cafe and the Western View Steak House. Then there is the glorious spectacle of the Route 66 Diner. In addition, classic neons have been restored recently such as the De Anza Motor Lodge, the Monterey Motel and the El Vado Motel. New neon signs are also making an appearance, such as the Route 66 Veterinary sign.
“Albuquerque’s retail shopping district famed for its neon lighting—and is at night a fascinating fairyland of multi-colored lights.” That’s another caption from a 1950s postcard presenting a nighttime view of downtown Albuquerque.
Do you want some “neon kicks?” Cruise the 17 miles of Central Avenue (old Route 66) in Albuquerque.
It’s a glorious galaxy of neon.