This was an unexpected treasure to find and then tour. The Ignite Sign Museum is a collection of Tucson signage that spans many years and commemorates many landmarks in my hometown.
My friend, Jody, a designer and presentation expert, found it on Atlas Obscura before she came to visit me here in Tucson (along with nearly 40 other locations and sights that fit the “obscura” label). This one caught her eye as it married her love of the visual with the kitsch of history.
And kitsch it has. those signs from my outh of the 50s, 60s and 70s: Leo’s Auto Supply and the Pioneer Hotel. Restaurants and bars from about the same time. And rocery stores and flower shops. Plus lot of other museum-quality things ranging from Dumont TVs, classroom desks and old telephones.
A bonus is their “how-its-done” videos and live demos. You can see, either live or on video, how tubing is bent, filled with gas and then powered. The science is explained.
A gift shop is at the end.
Hidden in a back neighborhood south of the University near Broadway and Plumber, it is well worth the search and the admission.
It so happens Jody was looking for a letter “M” for a sign she was working on and they surprised her with it at the end of the tour. The kind gesture topped our day.
Relentless
