We weren’t really sure what we would find when we arrived at Casa Grande Neon Sign Park. We decided to go before dusk, so we could see what the outside of the museum was all about before it got dark and the lights blinked themselves on.
It was a delightful surprise, this beautiful oasis tucked in a corner of downtown that we actually missed and had to drive around the block to find it again. The first thing we spotted when we parked the car was the Windmill Roadside Attraction. It stands at the edge of the sidewalk, and there is an old metal plaque that tells the story of why it's here, in the heart of downtown Casa Grande.
Agriculture and mining drove Casa Grande’s economy for many years, beginning in 1879, when the town was first founded. The windmill industry showcased Stover Manufacturing & Engine Co., a company based in Freeport, Illinois, during the 1860s. We loved inspecting the craftsmanship of this 30-foot, 12-blade windmill, a Samson Oil-Rite mill, made by Stover sometime between 1920 and 1942, when the company closed its doors for good.
We spotted a plaque near the windmill that explained how Thomas Joe Poor spent most of his life on a nearby small farm. He was a laid-back kind of man and was known as one of ‘the good guys.’ He loved volunteering over the years and helped with many downtown preservation projects. Because I’m such a history buff, I appreciate people like him in the world.
There’s a wall display featuring farm artifacts, metal cows, and an outstanding crop duster art piece designed by a local metal artist named Josh Smith. He did a great job highlighting the importance of the farming industry in Arizona.
The Windmill Roadside Attraction was dedicated here in Casa Grande on September 11th, 2024. Two crop dusters flew overhead, exciting the crowd. I was delighted to see and enjoy its beauty while in Arizona, and I can only imagine how happy the community was during this celebration.
In the late afternoon sun, we spotted several neon signs representing all kinds of companies back in the day, a few I’d heard of, most I had not. My brother-in-law, Bob, recognized one for Valley National Bank. “That’s where I opened my first savings account here in Arizona!” he declared with a grin. “I remember walking inside to deposit money, and the teller would handwrite the amount in my passbook.” I love it when spontaneous memories like that pop up in travel experiences.
My sister Karen laughed at the Dairy Queen sign, as we often stopped there while growing up in our hometown, Franklin, Massachusetts. There were hotel signs, photo shop signs, shoe store signs, café signs, and more – 14 in all. 11 of them are restorations, while Paul, ‘The waver’, is a replica.
The three of us learned that these historic neon signs were collected over the years, starting in 2004, when Marge Jantz, executive director of Casa Grande Main Street, and Thom Poor, the beloved volunteer mentioned above, rescued the Horse Shoe Motel sign as the building was being demolished. That sign was stored for the next 14 years before serious fundraising efforts began. There was also a National Historic Preservation Contest announced in 2017. Voting lasted 35 days, with 25 cities across the country competing for grant money. Casa Grande finished 2nd in the country. They received $144,000 to help turn Jantz’s vision, which had spread rapidly through the community, into reality. By January 31st, 2020, $226,171 had been contributed, along with the loaned property, which would serve to showcase the outdoor sign museum.
All of the signs were installed by Jude Cook of Cook & Company Signmakers, out of Tucson. Twelve of the signs were repurposed, designed, restored, and rehabbed by Jude, while two others were restored by Larry Graham, of Graham’s Neon in Mesa.
Who doesn’t love an old truck? And when the tailgate is used as the back of a comfy bench to rest on, even better. There were many benches throughout the park, and we sat for a while before the lights magically appeared when dusk had settled in for the night. My favorite was the sky-blue Ford bench, but they were all truly unique and fit the park’s theme nicely.
My sister was the first to notice him, perched on the Museum Sign building, and I learned that some of his relatives rest at other spots in the Arts and Culture district. The buzzard was named the park’s mascot in 2018. The idea of choosing a mascot had come up several times over the years. After a hot summer night meeting with friends, a large metal buzzard sculpture was found outside the former Norris Pool and Supply, and it was for sale! Over the years, more buzzard sculptures were bought, and they can now be seen around Casa Grande. I thought I missed my chance to take a picture of him, which would have been a bummer… But I went through all my photos when I got home and found a few!!
Whenever I travel somewhere new, there are so many questions I want to ask. Oftentimes, there’s no one around, though. The Neon Sign Park has 10 story sign plaques that help answer some of the questions I want to know. You can tell that a lot of care and dedication went into the park’s design and functionality. Local businesses have sponsored each plaque, which gives an overview of the neon sign and its history. Very much appreciated by me, that’s for sure.
The Horse Shoe Motel Sign was my favorite. The business advertised clean, modern, air-cooled units. It was also known to be one of the first motels in Casa Grande to install air-conditioning. Newspaper articles from the time mention winter visitors staying there for a month at a time. Paul, the motel’s ‘waver’ bellhop, is a reproduction. His job was to wave at drivers, letting them know if the motel had any vacancies. I took many photos of him and even a short video to capture his personality and welcoming smile. I sure would’ve stayed there!
Another favorite sign was Casa Grande Photo Shop. Jim Gorraiz was a renowned photographer and owned the shop. He died in 1990, and that’s when his neon sign began its journey to the neon sign location.
Gorraiz also produced aerials, did freelance work for a local newspaper, ran photo clubs and workshops, sharing his knowledge with other photographers. We learned that his collection is at the Museum of Casa Grande. Although we didn’t have time to see it this trip, we all agreed it would be fun to go back another time.
After his death, the sign was purchased by a man who had fond memories of the shop and had bought his first camera there. The neon sign was on display at Marvin Carlton’s photographic shop for over twenty years. When he decided to move with his wife, they felt compelled to return the vintage sign in honor of his mom, Mickey, who loved history and the museum.
The park is open daily. I could sit and read a book, write a letter, crochet a hat for a few hours – it’s that peaceful. While we were there, a couple walked by, sharing that they’d lived in the town for six years and had never been to the park. We waved them in and talked about how cool we thought it was; they agreed.
The lights come on at dusk, so it varies throughout the year. When we went, the light softened around 5:15, and the park coming to life, a sign at a time, was truly magical. I’m so glad we went! They turn off, and the park closes at 11 pm each night. If you are in the area, make sure to stop by!
Address: 408 N Sacaton St, Casa Grande, Arizona
Phone: (520) 836-8744
Admission: Free
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Theresa St. John is a freelance travel writer, photographer, and videographer based in Saratoga Springs, New York. She is interested in WWII history, museums, food, slavery, the Underground Railroad, interviewing interesting people, restaurant reviews, local travel, anything ghost-related, and the Erie Canal, among other things. Theresa loves to travel and sinks her feet into the moments of places she visits. Her photography essays, along with the written word, help tell the story to readers everywhere.