This Is Edmonton: Neon Sign Museum

Edmonton’s unique Neon Sign Museum was launched on Friday evening, the culmination of years of work by City of Edmonton Heritage Planners, as well as assiduous volunteer efforts by members of the Alberta Sign Association, who contributed thousands of hours to restore and mount the signs. The neon has been mounted on the east wall of the Telus building at the southwest corner of 104 Street and 104 Avenue, across from the Mercer Warehouse and a stone’s throw from the future arena. The initial installation includes eight signs, with four more to be installed in coming months, and the hope for more in future as additional signs are donated and restored. The building has space for up to 30 signs, so the collection could grow to become a very bright display indeed.

The launch was chilly but festive, with a crowd of about 100 people listening to brief speeches by the Mayor, City Councillors and representatives from the Downtown Business Association, the Alberta Sign Association and Telus before the lights were officially switched on. The cold started to get to the crowd near the end of the speeches, and a good-natured chant of “turn them on! turn them on!” rose up as the speeches drew to a close.

More information about the Neon Sign Museum, as well as details about each of the signs, is available on the City of Edmonton’s Neon Sign Museum page.