Five Points Hand Car Wash (Whittier, CA) – This sign dates back to 1963, the height of the Googie movement, when this car wash first opened its doors to the public. Back then it would continuously rotate 360 degrees. But when I came across it in 2012, it had been sitting still for over 20 years. Even worse, this iconic sign is now considered illegal since it no longer meets zoning code requirements and is scheduled to be taken down by 2017. However, there is still some hope… In 2010, new owners purchased the car wash and brought with them a spirit of preservation. They are among the many individuals who consider this sign one of the most authentic examples of Googie architecture still in existence. Efforts are ongoing to designate it as a historical landmark, which would provide protection and avoid its removal altogether – the ideal solution. This is yet another example of the kinds of preservation issues that vintage signs and other roadside attractions all across the US are facing.
LOCATION:
- Neon Signs
- Vintage Signs
