Is It Time to Bring Back Rooftop Signs Downtown?
The neon Colcord sign - can anyone argue it's not a graceful, wonderful piece of public art?
Casey Cornett inadvertently reminded me today to take note of another effort underway in Tulsa – lifting of a 20-year ban on rooftop signs downtown. Tulsans have a few great ones still standing that survived the ban. The Meadow Gold Milk sign is considered a Route 66 icon. And personally I’m jealous that the Mayo sign survived atop the Mayo Hotel while the Skirvin sign disappeared from the top of our grand old hotel long ago.
We have one really great rooftop sign – the classic cursive Colcord sign. But it its survival is no accident. Back in 1999, former Oklahoman writer Judy Kuhlman wrote about the efforts of artisan Travis Griffin to bring the sign back to life after seeing it fade to darkness for several years. He approached the building’s owners and gave them a deal where he said he “didn’t make much.”
Travis Griffin works on the Colcord sign, 1999.
Maybe not, Mr. Griffin, but thanks for your contribution to the city. We’re still enjoying it today. But there are so few such rooftop signs left in downtown Oklahoma City that I’ve got to wonder if there isn’t a chance for us to follow Tulsa’s lead (are you seeing a theme here folks?). As with my last post on the parking meter enforcement, I’m not advocating a position either way here – simply posing the question.
Now, as to Casey’s question, via Twitter. He asked why the Plaza Court sign is so big.
The answer, my friend Casey, is a matter of history. And you know just how much of a history geek I am. So I’m pleased to show off these old photos from the Plaza Court when it was the suburban threat to downtown retail (ironic, isn’t it?).
Photo from Oklahoma Historical Society archives (did you know this photo and more can be bought online, and the proceeds go to support the state museum's research operations?)
The Plaza Court sign, circa 1950s (Oklahoman archives)
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Comments
Those are some pretty great photos.
Didn’t OG&E have their sign on the roof before doubling their building height? I stare out my window at work everyday and can see (where the brick color doesn’t exactly match) what the original building design looked like. Appears to the original sign (at least looks the original)…just not on the top anymore.
Casey, yes, OG&E had a great sign, complete with Reddy Kilowatt waiving his electric baton.
See these photos.
I was thinking early this morning, the only drawback would be is that I bet that “Cotter Ranch” tower guy would want to put some ugly sign on his roof with his cattle brand. Someone seriously needs to offer to buy this building from him.
I didn’t even realize there way a ban, though I have wondered why there weren’t more rooftop signs. They absolutely should bring them back! It would add character to our skyline. Why was there a ban instituted in the first place?
Other than the Skirvin (in which I love the idea of putting it back), what other buildings would this make sense to do it on?
AT&T has an illuminated logo (not neon though) also.
And Kudos to Rand Elliott for the impressive (extremely tall) Red Prime sidewalk sign at Broadway and 4th. I can only imagine what he went through to get a Revocable Permit for that thing.
I suspect the popular “revival” signs would be the OG&E, Liberty Bank and Skirvin signs. I’m sure there could be others ….depends on one’s perspective.
Speaking of cool signs, I wish I could see the Tower Theater sign on NW 23rd lit up. What’s up with that?
The Santa Fe station would look amazing if some sort of neon, or LED luminescence were added in the appropriate spots. I think it would be quite a compelling complement to the art deco style of the architecture.
Dan, I know they are trying at Tower. It is a slow process.
Isn’t the Liberty bank now Chase Tower?
The signs in Automobile Alley are awesome. It seems like a new one pops up every month, it really makes a cool urban look…
The rooftop sign for Sunshine Cleaners at Classen and 1st is great. It would look awesome lit up.
Does anybody know if the Beverly’s Pancake Corner sign was salvaged? I know they kept the top “logo” part when they moved, and I hope the main sign wasn’t demolished.
The old “Clock Inn” sign is at Mustang Ranch in Chickasha.
Would have been awesome if they had relocated the whole sign (the new rectangle generic sign they now have is a very poor substitute) don’t know if they were able to salvage the rest of the sign (but glad they did save and are proudly displaying what they did).
I love historic (and historic looking) signs. And I love these posts with archive photos. Keep it up!
Yes yes, bring back rooftop signs. Skirvin and the old “Hotel Black” would look excellent with rooftop signs.