There was a time when the great American road trip was a Technicolor odyssey. Motels, restaurants, garages, and bus stations along the Main Street in towns and cities were bathed in a neon glow.

Long before GPS and glowing smartphone screens, travelers drove through the night guided by colorful beacons. The flickering, buzzing, humming and inviting neon signage wasn’t just advertising. These signs were the beacon of promise for a hot meal, a clean bed, roadside service or a nights entertainment.

The Golden Age of Neon: Lighting the Mother Road

Neon signage first dazzled the world in 1910 when French engineer Georges Claude unveiled it at the Paris Motor Show. It didn’t take long for America to fall head over heels for the glow.

Legend has it that a Los Angles Packard dealer that catered to the rich and famous was the first to bring the warm neon glow to American streets. Soon artistic and whimsical neon signs were an ubiquitous calling card of roadside American businesses.

Each sign was a handcrafted marvel. Artisans heated and bent glass, and filled them with gases that produced vibrant colors when electrified. Craftsmen turned commerce into art.

On legendary Route 66, neon became more than decoration. It was identity, competition and it was storytelling in colorful light.

When the Lights Dimmed

Times change. Interstate highways bypassed small towns. Neon sign maintenance costs rose. Regulations and the rise of corporate motel, restaurant and fast food chains dimmed the glow of neon.

Fragile and complex neon that required skilled artisans gave way to cheaper, plastic alternatives. By the 1970s, many of those once-brilliant beacons had gone dark.

But like the story of Route 66 itself, this one wasn’t finished.

The Neon Renaissance: A Revival of Light & Legacy

Today, neon is enjoying a well-earned renaissance. Communities are rediscovering what those early business owners had learned. The glow of neon is warm and inviting. It creates a sense of place, sparks memories, and fosters connection. It draws people in and tells a story that no LED billboard ever could.

And at the heart of this revival are passionate advocates like Todd Matuszewicz. A preservationist, researcher, and hands-on neon specialist based in Denver, Matuszewicz has been deeply involved in documenting, restoring, and promoting historic signage. His work includes collaboration on preservation research initiatives and restoration projects, as well as hands-on involvement with neon shops where the delicate art of glass bending is still practiced.

As highlighted in the April 12 episode of Coffee With Jim, his work with initiatives such as Save the Night in Colorado reflects a broader movement. It is one that sees neon not as relic, but as a catalyst for historic district and community revitalization.

And when a sign lights again, it’s more than illumination. It’s a signal. As Matuszewicz noted during a recent restoration in Denver, a newly lit sign is “a harbinger of the success that’s going to come.”

Route 66 Centennial: A Catalyst for Comeback

The Route 66 Centennial is acting like a shot of high-voltage current through preservation efforts across the country.

Communities are restoring historic signs, commissioning new ones, and integrating neon into placemaking strategies that blend nostalgia with economic development.

You see it at the Route 66 Experience in Springfield, Illinois that is embracing this concpet with signage that is immersive and is designed to bring history to life. And Tulsa, Oklahoma has become a leader in the use of neon signage to economically revitalize a district with innovative grant programs. These projects have resulted in the restoration of dozens of signs. They have also proved that neon is not just heritage. It’s smart business.

Signs of the Times: Recent & Upcoming Highlights

If you want proof that neon is back, just follow the glow:

• Bristow, Oklahoma – On April 12, 2026, the towering Chrysler Plymouth sign in Bristow, Oklahoma that was originally installed in 1949 was officially relit for the first time in roughly 70 years. This 100-foot-tall landmark now shines once again as a beacon visible for miles along Route 66.
• Kingman, Arizona – Spearheaded by Kingman Main Street, the historic Hotel Beale neon sign is currently undergoing restoration supported by preservation grants. The highly anticipated relighting will take place on May 2, 2026, during the Route 66 Fun Run. This promises to be one of the most memorable moments of the event.
• Tulsa, Oklahoma – Through forward-thinking grant programs and public-private partnerships, the city continues to expand its neon landscape, reinforcing its reputation as a leader in Route 66 preservation and innovation.

These are more than just restorations. They are bright and colorful declarations that the past still has a bright future.

Coffee With Jim: Neon Nights & Bright Futures

The April 12 episode of Coffee With Jim on Podbean brought this story to life in vivid color. Our conversation with Todd Matuszewicz was a deep dive into the role of neon in reviving craftsmanship and communities. It underscored a simple truth. Neon is more than nostalgia. It’s an economic engine, a cultural touchstone, and a reason for the traveler to stop, stay, and explore.

On the April 26 episode of Coffee With Jim we will be discussing innovative neon sign initiatives in Tulsa with Rhys Martin, president of the Oklahoma Route 66 Association.

As we learn from the history of neon and Route 66, times change. And that takes me to the future of Coffee With Jim, our weekly podcast.

Looking Ahead: A New Home for Coffee With Jim

Podbean has announced it will discontinue its live stream option in May. And that means Coffee With Jim is preparing for its next chapter.

We’re currently evaluating Substack as a potential new home, not just for the live stream, but as a centralized hub for the entire Jim Hinckley’s America network. We are envisioning a single destination where blog, podcast, video, and social media community come together. Something simple, accessible, and built for connection in a community of passionate road trip enthusiasts.

Stay tuned.

Keeping the Lights On: Community & Support

As with the ongoing neon sign revival, projects like Jim Hinckley’s America don’t just happen. They’re made possible by a growing community of road trip enthusiasts, people that share our passion for the American story, and dreamers.

Support through Patreon helps fuel Coffee With Jim as well as educational programs and new initiatives designed to inspire travel and strengthen communities.

And to our sponsors—Two Lane America, Wagon Wheel Motel, Roadrunner Lodge Motel, Enchanted Trails Trading Post & RV Park, Gilligan’s Route 66 Tours, RouteTrip USA, Deana Nelson State Farm Insurance and others, thank you for helping keep the stories alive and the lights shining.

Join the Journey

If neon teaches us anything, it’s that in the darkest night a warm glow is inviting and comforting.

You can be part of that light. Subscribe. Follow. Share. Hit the road.

Because somewhere out there, just beyond the next bend, something wonderful is glowing.