Programmatic Signs

Programmatic signs are a branch of programmatic (mimic) architecture featuring advertising signs as a 3-dimensional representation of the product being sold, or just in a novelty shape meant to catch the eye. This was one way that businesses attracted travelers during the golden age of the automobile, and it is another example of roadside Americana that is slowly disappearing.

Click on each thumbnail to see a larger image.

[bizarre_programmaticsigns100_8746_s.jpg]
Camera
Moab Action Shots
311 N. Main St.
Moab, UT
October 2008
       [bizarre_programmaticsignsIMG_1739_s.jpg]
Glasses
Perfect Vision
1109 US Hwy. 491
Gallup, NM
October 2008
       [bizarre_programmaticsigns100_1047_s.jpg]
Chicken Bucket
KFC
1601 W. Willow St.
Long Beach, CA
March 2011


[bizarre_programmaticsigns100_8047_s.jpg]
Pool Table
Lucky Cue Billiards
1612 E. McDowell Rd.
Phoenix, AZ
August 2008
       [bizarre_programmaticsigns100_8044_s.jpg]
Hammer and L-Square
Ace Hardware
2242 N. 24th St.
Phoenix, AZ
August 2008
       [bizarre_programmaticsignsIMG_5923_s.jpg]
Beer Mug
Caribbean Platinum Restaurant
2530 N. 1st Ave.
Tucson, AZ
November 2010 (now closed)


[bizarre_programmaticsigns100_8007_s.jpg]
Saguaro Cactus
Saguaro Theater
176 E. Wickenburg Way
Wickenburg, AZ
July 2008
       [bizarre_programmaticsigns100_0048_s.jpg]
Lotaman
Blake's Lotaburger
9004 Montgomery Bl. NE
Albuquerque, NM
June 2006
       [bizarre_programmaticsignsIMG_3849_s.jpg]
Octopus
Octopus Car Wash
5215 San Mateo Blvd. NE
Albuquerque, NM
April 2010


[bizarre_programmaticsignsIMG_2779_s.jpg]
Barrel
Minder Binders Restaurant
715 S. McClintock Dr.
Tempe, AZ
January 2010 (now gone)
       [bizarre_programmaticsigns100_5799_s.jpg]
Indian
Motor Time Auto Sales
7505 Vine St.
Cincinnati, OH
April 2008
       [bizarre_programmaticsigns100_8468_s.jpg]
Bottle Cap
Grain Belt Beer Sign
4 Island Ave. West
Minneapolis, MN
September 2008

[bizarre_donuts1_s.jpg]
Donuts
Various donut shops
Various locations
Southern California
Various dates
       [bizarre_punkin_s.jpg]
Pumpkin
Punkin Center Bar
Hwy. 188 at Greenback Rd.
Punkin Center, AZ
July 2007


Many other examples of Programmatic Signs can be seen on my Neon Night and Old Route 66 in Arizona pages.

Also visit my Programmatic Architecture page.

Last visited: As noted above.

Standard disclaimer: Sites are described for entertainment purposes only, as they were at the time of my last visit. I can not vouch for the current condition of the site or its accessibility.

Revised: December 16, 2014
Copyright © 2011 Joe Orman
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