Lighting Up History: Classic Boise Signs Return to Downtown with the Signs of Our Times Gallery
Downtown Boise just got a whole lot brighter—and not just because of new developments! Thanks to a unique project decades in the making, six restored neon signs from Boise’s past are now lighting up Grove Street. This outdoor gallery, named Signs of Our Times, brings together history, art, and nostalgia, all thanks to the dedication of Vangie Osborn and her vision to bring these vintage treasures back to life.
For over 20 years, Vangie Osborn has collected classic Boise signs with a dream of one day restoring and displaying them for the community to enjoy. Today, her vision has become reality. With support from the Capital City Development Corporation (CCDC), the City of Boise’s Arts & History Department, and partners like Idaho Power, the Signs of Our Times gallery now invites everyone to stroll down Grove Street, between 12th and 13th Streets, and admire these icons of Boise’s past.
The newly restored signs include relics from the Sands Motel, Blue Bell Auto Park, L&B Beverage, Truck Stop Cafe, Chuck Dragoo Auto Sales, and Mercury Cleaners. Each sign has been carefully restored with fresh paint, sanded metal, and vibrant neon lighting, thanks to local businesses such as YESCO, Classic Design Studio, and Rocket Neon. The gallery breathes new life into an area of downtown Boise that’s also seeing modern growth, with nearby new additions like the Broadstone Saratoga Apartments and Hotel Renegade adding to the evolving landscape.
Here’s a look at each sign’s unique history:
- Mercury Cleaners: Once located on the Boise Bench at 924 S. Roosevelt, Mercury Cleaners operated from 1946 to 1985. The sign, a familiar sight in Boise even after the business closed, is among the most recognizable in this collection.
- Sands Motel: Known for its connection to the “Rat Pack” era, the Sands Motel once stood at 12th and State Street, serving guests from 1956 until 2002. Inspired by the Las Vegas Sands Hotel, it now finds new life illuminating Grove Street.
- Chuck Dragoo Auto Sales: Advertising “CLEAN SHARP CARS,” this sign from 1215 Main St. recalls a local car lot operated by Chuck Dragoo until his passing in 1961. It now shines just steps from its original location.
- L&B Beverage: A sign with a short-lived but notable history, L&B Beverage opened briefly on State Street in the early 1960s before vanishing from directories.
- Truck Stop Cafe: Another mystery piece, the Truck Stop Cafe sign was one of five purchased by Osborn from a former advertising company in 2000. Its generic design suggests it may have served various locations.
- Blue Bell Auto Park: Operating from 1932 to 1958 on Fairview Avenue, this auto park sign represents a stopover for travelers and even housed a small grocery and an illegal slot machine for a time.
In addition to these signs, another classic Boise icon, the Cub Tavern sign, will soon return to Main Street as part of the Smith Block renovation.
The Signs of Our Times gallery is now open on Grove Street. Swing by, relive some Boise history, and see these beautifully restored neon gems brighten the city once again.
Take a walk through Boise’s past on Grove Street, and enjoy the glow of a city that treasures both its history and future.