Rio Theater Santa Cruz

September 8, 2013

This photo showcases the beautiful marquee and facade of the Rio Theatre, a historic Art Deco landmark located at 1205 Soquel Avenue in Santa Cruz. The Rio opened its doors on June 12, 1949, originally as a state-of-the-art movie palace featuring a “Cycloramic” screen designed to create an illusion of depth.

For decades, it served as a beloved local cinema before being transformed into a premier live performance venue. Today, the Rio hosts a diverse array of events, including concerts, comedy shows, film festivals, and community gatherings, making it a vital cultural hub for Santa Cruz County.

The theater’s stunning mid-century design, with its sweeping curves and iconic vertical sign, has been carefully preserved, offering a nostalgic glimpse into the golden age of movie houses while continuing to entertain new generations of audiences.

The Bagdad Theater, Portland

May 25, 2019

An icon of Portland’s Hawthorne District, the Bagdad Theater, located at 3702 S.E. Hawthorne Blvd., opened its doors in 1927. With its grand, Moorish-revival architecture, it was designed as an “Oasis for Entertainment.” The theater is listed on the National Register of Historic Places and famously hosted the world premiere of One Flew Over the Cuckoo’s Nest in 1975. Today, it’s operated by McMenamins as a popular theater pub, continuing its legacy as a landmark of Portland culture.

Polly Esther's - A Retro Nightclub Memory in Seattle

For a time in the late ’90s and early 2000s, Polly Esther’s was a beacon of retro kitsch located at 332 Fifth Ave. N, right across from the Space Needle. This chain nightclub was a dual-themed palace of nostalgia, split into two distinct eras. The Polly Esther’s side was a 1970s disco paradise, complete with a ‘Saturday Night Fever’ dance floor, lava lamps, and Brady Bunch memorabilia. The other half, the Culture Club, celebrated the 1980s with Pac-Man machines and a ‘Max Headroom’ themed bar. It was a loud, energetic, and unapologetically fun spot that, for a while, brought the funk back to Seattle.

The Laurelhurst Theater, Portland

December 14, 2017

Opened in 1923 at 2735 E Burnside St, the Laurelhurst Theater was designed by Walter Tebbetts, the same architect behind Portland’s Hollywood and Oriental Theatres. Originally a 700-seat, single-screen cinema, it was praised as one of the city’s most modern suburban movie houses.

After struggling to compete with multiplexes in the 1980s, the theater was purchased and renovated in 2000. Today, the Laurelhurst is a beloved four-screen cinema pub that shows second-run films and serves pizza and local microbrews, earning it numerous “Best of” awards from local publications.

Pink Elephant Car Wash Seattle

April 26, 2002

July 3, 2017

This photo features the famous rotating sign of the Pink Elephant Car Wash, a beloved and iconic Seattle institution for generations. The first Elephant Car Wash was opened by the Anderson brothers in 1951, but it was the giant, cheerful, pink neon elephant sign, designed by Beatrice Haverfield and installed in 1956 at the Denny Way location, that became a true city landmark.

For decades, the whimsical, spinning elephant was a familiar and delightful sight for Seattleites, especially for children who were mesmerized by it from the back seat of the family car. The sign became so cherished that when the Denny Way location closed in 2020, there was a successful public campaign to preserve it. The sign was declared a city landmark and was donated to Seattle’s Museum of History & Industry (MOHAI) to be displayed as part of its neon collection.

While the original location is gone, the Pink Elephant Car Wash continues to operate at other locations, and its iconic sign remains a symbol of mid-century charm and a treasured piece of Seattle history. The Denny Way sign stood at 301 Denny Way.

Million Dollar Cowboy Bar Jackson Hole

June 22, 2024

This photo captures the iconic neon sign of the Million Dollar Cowboy Bar, a world-famous landmark in Jackson Hole, Wyoming. Established in the 1930s, this legendary honky-tonk is a living piece of the Old West, known for its rustic charm and vibrant atmosphere.

Inside, the bar is instantly recognizable for its unique saddle bar stools, allowing patrons to belly up to the bar on genuine leather saddles. The walls are adorned with knotty pine, historical photos, and classic Western memorabilia, creating an authentic cowboy experience.

For decades, the Million Dollar Cowboy Bar has been a premier destination for live country music and dancing, attracting locals, tourists, and even a few celebrities. It stands as a must-visit institution that embodies the rugged spirit and hospitality of Jackson Hole.

Remembering El Paisa Restaurante

July 8, 2012

Located at 3322 Mission Street, El Paisa Restaurante was an informal spot in the Mission District known for its authentic Honduran and Salvadoran cuisine, including pupusas and grilled meats. While this neighborhood favorite is now permanently closed, its sign remains a memory of the diverse culinary landscape of the Mission.