Relight the Night: Neon Sign Project
Relight the Night: Neon Sign Project
- On June 20, 2012, the Historic Downtown Pocatello Foundation announced a symbolic new initiative that blends several interests and passions together into one bright, shiny package dubbed "Relight the Night." Downtown enjoys many glowing traditions including an awesome collection of vintage signs. These artistic lights of the night once rivaled those of any city.
- However, bit by shining bit, Downtown's beckoning signs have begun to fade into darkness and despair--a stark contrast to the signs of vitality and life so evident in Downtown's many eclectic and artistic events and businesses. The Relight the Night Initiative intends to reverse the deterioration of these community icons--rescuing and restoring these landmarks--large or small--one by one to their former brilliance and glory as jewels of Pocatello's city center.
- This restoration initiative/campaign will require what its leaders call "a perfect storm of collaboration,” a community of givers who are passionate about their unique sense of place and a business district willing to create an even more attractive and distinctive destination. This collaborative storm will be accompanied by "SOS (Save Our Signs) alerts" inviting community members and organizations to come to the rescue of a struggling sign.
- Fortunately many of these historic signs call out to the "greater community"--they are signatures from the past and reminders of beloved events, places, and people. Such signs allow the past to speak to the present in ways that buildings by themselves cannot. They give continuity to public spaces and become part of the community memory. With so much expense and expertise needed for their rescue, many of Pocatello's signs will require full community involvement and that's why the Relight the Night Initiative came into being.
Under Randy Dixon's chairmanship, like-minded organizers are compiling a growing list of "Signs of Interest" that may need a full rescue or maybe just a bit of resuscitation. Some on the list no longer (or in some cases never did) reside/exist downtown--yet they lit up Pocatello's night skies for decades.
- The first sign to be targeted for renovation was the historic Chief Theater sign. This is perhaps the most recognizable and most famous of all the downtown neon signs. Many treasured memories were created at The Chief Theater, from first dates, first kisses and even proposals, many a past and present Pocatello resident has a story to share. The Chief hung over Main Street from 1938 to 1993, when the Chief Theater burned to the ground. It was a community effort to rehabilitate the theater, which was completed just prior to the fire. Only two pieces of the theater were saved, the tile mosaic from the entryway and the sign. The mosaic was first to be restored and now sits at the site of the theater. The Chief sign, now completely renovated stands 50’ tall and brightly shines every night on Main Street. A special thank you to all of the donors who made the sign renovation possible!
The second sign to be renovated was the Greyhound Bus Depot Sign. The only sign of its kind remaining in the US today, the Greyhound now "runs" every evening at it's home on top of the Historic Greyhound Bus Station Building located on W. Bonneville, in front of the Union Pacific Railroad Depot.
Signs Relit since November 29, 2013:
Signs Relit since November 29, 2013:
Chief Theater - Restored by City of Pocatello and Relight the Night
Meyers Shoe Repair - Restored by Owner
Greyhound Bus Depot - Restored by Relight the Night
Chopsticks Cafe - Restored by Relight the Night
Key Bank - Restored by Owner
The Paris - Restored by Owner and Relight the Night
Pocatello High School Indian - Restored by Pocatello High and Relight the Night
Bannock Memorial Star - Restored by Portneuf Health Trust
Odd Fellows Hall IOOF - Restored by Owner
Teamsters Local 983 - Restored by Owner
Historic Office Bar & Grill - Restored by Owner
Gypsy Tattoo - Restored by Owner
Hotel Yellowstone - Restored by Owner
Ukiah Rexall Drug - Restored by William Eames and Michael Snyder Haas
Freds Photo Service - Restored by Relight the Night and Cuoio Family
Buster Brown Shoes - Restored by Relight the Night and a Number of Contributors
Club 210 - Restored by Owner
Oasis Bar - Restored by Owner
The Projects
