Ignite Neon Museum Tucson Arizona July 2024

Hello all!

So I just read the terrible news that this very building suffered a major fire a few nights back 

and much or most of the inside collection has been fully destroyed.

The business says they have a lot left in the main warehouse and they will rebuild  but Wow!

This is such a Kool place   it is a huge shame.  

Now I have not been able to go to that side of town and see the damage from the outside. 

This is supposedly a much better museum than the sign garden in Vegas.   

This here is actually my second trip to Explore the museum Last July.

When you first enter you are greeted by M & M's and very happy and knowledgeable staff. 

That can answer any questions you may have. 

They also wish to give you a huge scavenger hunt list    to go through as you visit the large buildings.

Hey!

Quick fun fact

So earlier this year the No Tell Motel 

Yes it is an actual place

Yes I have talked about it and pictured this before    and will again

after being bought by the city      was being mostly torn down and becoming low income housing. 

I of course have pictures from years ago of the sign and just this year   while the construction was on going.

Anyways 

The famous sign was being donated to this very Ignite Museum.

And while the construction was in full swing at the motel

A truck pulled up    asked for the famous sign    loaded it and took off.

Although the occupants of the truck said they were from the museum   they were not. 

So the famous sign    just disappeared fully for almost a week!

Thankfully  the would be thieves returned the sign to the construction sight    and it went to it's new home at the great museum.

Although no one will tell what really happened. 

I will have pictures of the old motel and the sign and such up soon in another Exploring blog post.

For I never stayed here  but have heard stories  

But wish to do a full post about the beyond dive motels in the Tucson area. 

Years ago I stayed in several of them     when I was between houses.   

Most of these remain in Greater Tucson some how. 

Anyways back to the tour!!

I have also pictured this great motel

Another of the many that the city is allowing to be tour down sadly.  

And another glorious sign!

Down near Miracle Mile    these same signs are preserved

With a whole strip of such neon wonders.

This small version is in the museum.

Right by the entrance   and the large old dinner walk through replica.

Not going to brag   but I have pictured these signs on the street and many of the old motels along this strip also.   And this can be found in a blog post past for sure 

Take a picture!

Or 33 as I often do.

Again still remains in Tucson

and is now kind of a strange outside mall 

with a large Wal Mart in the middle.

I only took pictures of what I found most appealing   but

now that they had a fire   I wish I took more. 

You might not say the same when this post is complete. 

There are several of these around the town.

Including a huge one again around magical Miracle Mile

I saw some beer cans here   from brews that I am not sure exist now.

Anyone recall when the average TV weighed more than your truck?

Cut down on theft for sure....

In this area you could interact with many of the exhibits. 

In case you forgot where we are visiting.

Actually a slide puzzle

Whole huge wall of non neon signs.

No touching the signs!

Mmmmm Coffee!

Coffee & more

Right about here you could also watch a great movie about how neon signs are made

and about the science.

Complete with push buttons to answer questions.

In front of the gas pumps.

My wife is a huge Pepsi fan.

My mini ride Power Wheel

Do not despair  I believe  we are nearing the end of todays tour.

Or maybe not.

Ancient relic

The real reason neon was invented 

Large gift shop in the middle of the place. 

Where I believe they also later sold little light  up models of the No Tell Motel sign!

And small versions of this

for a $$ of course.

Always a Grand idea

Let us step outside into the extreme desert heat.

Can you feel the extreme head and sun and hot beat down on you?

My twin Twiggy!!  ?

Some near by buildings   while we are on the outside

Back inside to cool off!

And Yes  we are almost done with Exploring today

nea

Another quick fun fact

The nearby Sierra Vista Mc Donalds is the first in the country to have a drive through 

to service all the people from the base 

In my very brief stay with the company  my training was at that very store. 

This was really a great adventure!

And I really hope the museum is able to rebuild as they say they will!