The last original Dunkin’ Donuts sign standing anywhere has been dismantled and is now in storage and facing an uncertain fate.
The 1957 neon landmark, which towered over the intersection of Market and North Beacon streets in Brighton, was in poor condition with extensive rust. A backlighted fluorescent plexiglass sign with a modern Dunkin’ Donuts steaming coffee cup logo was erected in its place after the old sign came down on April 3…
The American Sign Museum in Cincinnati once expressed an interest, but its president, Tod Swormstedt, said last week he probably is not interested now. He hoped that a private collector would acquire it.
“More and more of these signs that have had their day are coming down, and it’s important to preserve them from an historical standpoint and from an emotional standpoint,” said Swormstedt. “These signs evoke a memory of when times were simpler.” The Dunkin’ Donuts sign was designed in classic 1950s graphic style with candy-colored neon.
Dunkin Donuts University is probably one of the more important institutions of learning in the United States.
Tragedy! Roadside architecture is disappearing.. I was hoping it would make a comeback with the newfound popularity of the “retro” style.
it isn’t a landmark. it is an old energy wasting sign. it is a scary day where we start bemoaning the lost of old advertising.
I used to live next door to this Dunkin Donuts, it’s surreal to see this here! It’s certainly no tragedy though, the sign was anything but interesting or cool, it’s just another big ol sign. The only thing it was good for was giving people directions. “Take a left at the big ol Dunkin Donuts sign, you can’t miss it.”
This gets the obligatory line, “Probably going to be bought by the local cop shop as an historical landmark.”
The White House is old, taxpayer dollars keep it from being dismantled. Donuts are an American delight, I think taxpayer dollars should go to giving this old sign an erection. It’s not good for it to be down all the time. It should be up somewhere.
save the neon!!! Blog your hearts out and sign any petition that comes your way. Damn shame about the sign. I would love to see a resurgence of signs
Sign Sign everywhere a sign
Blocking out the scenery breaking my mind
Do this, don’t do that, can’t you read the sign
Okay, I just have to say it.
Maybe it’s because I’m from the west coast and I am missing something fundamental… but everyone I talk to from the east coast constantly whines about how much they miss Dunkin Donuts coffee. Naturally I was curious, so when I was on the east coast last I bought a cup and it was not horrible, but it was pretty solidly mediocre.
What gives?
We ran them out of town about ten years ago. We are about to run krispy kreame out. Local bakers are the best.
“Dunkin Donuts University is probably one of the more important institutions of learning in the United States.”
Does it teach Intelligent donut design?
I’ve been to that Dunkin’s Donuts. The sign should read “Brigton Police Canteen and Restroom”.
In Canada donut shops are the local cultural icons