Happiness is spotting a quality vintage sign. It’s even better when it’s in good shape and a brand you know.
When Arby’s first opened in Boardman, Ohio, in 1964, the neon ten-gallon hat was a big part of their brand. The company used it as their logo until the mid-seventies and these signs have steadily disappeared from the American streetscape ever since.
I read once that there are about a hundred of them left and I’ve seen a few including one in a town along Route 23 in Kentucky. That was several years ago but I do hope it still exists.
These old signs are costly to maintain and many are grandfathered in to local codes. In other words, many cities won’t allow signs this big or flashy to be installed but they allow existing signs to stay.
I also suspect that the chain makes franchise owners pitch the signs if they demolish and rebuild. The neon mid-century style doesn’t fit well with the new Arby’s brand and the boxy buildings that seem to make up the modern fast food world.
Personally, I’m a fan of character and of things that stand out to let you know where you are. You can spot the trademark red roof and wood siding of an old school Pizza Hut from a mile away. Yet the sleek, modern design reminds me of the box my toaster came in and they just melt into the background. These towns that demand everything be brick and that signs be white rectangles that fit in the same brick box used by everyone else are not my kind of towns.
Give me places like Muncie, Indiana where character and pizazz rule the street. These are the places that make me happy!
Here’s another vintage signthat still exists in Muncie!
It isn’t every day that you find a covered bridge at a cemetery but the day I located this covered bridge wasn’t just any day. It was an adventure day.
When I left Muncie that Saturday morning, I was headed toward Fairmount via Route 3 so I could swing by this bridge. It was a gorgeous morning and the warm glow of the sun made it even prettier after the previous day’s gloom.
Gardens of Memory Funeral Home and Cemetery have served the Muncie area since 1954, according to their website.
Their covered bridge spans a small stream between the funeral home and cemetery so that the deceased will be carried over the bridge to their final resting place. The very idea pleased me for some reason. I suppose it’s just lovely to think of a bridge being part of that transition from the world of the living to the land of the deceased.
There’s a plaque dedicated to Ray Parsons. Can you read it?
It says “In grateful recognition of Ray L. Parsons 1954-1988. We wish to say thank you for your insight and help with the dream of our founders for Gardens of Memory Cemetery.”
You know I wasn’t about to let that go. So I Googled Mr Parsons and learned that he was a well known local businessman who owned several businesses including a successful construction company. The father of five and grandfather of nineteen grandchildren and great grandchildren had already buried his wife when he passed away in 2018.
Along the way, I also located an obituary for his brother Charles who had passed away four years before. Incidentally, Charles died on Thursday, December 4, 2014 and Ray passed on Thursday, December 6, 2018.
Don’t ask why I think that’s interesting. It just is.
Anyway, Charles’ obituary notes that he worked on the design and construction of this bridge and said he was proud of it.
I hope they were both proud of it as it’s a nice bridge and well done with the partially open sides that allow light to stream through. Combined with the peaceful cemetery and adjacent fields, this bridge is picturesque.
Muncie, Indiana is a terrific place to spot vintage signs and this is the crown jewel of them all. This gorgeous vintage McDonald’s sign was installed in 1958.
The restaurant has been remodeled but the sign has been well kept and still lights up. It’s even more impressive in person than it appears in pictures.
Like most kids, I was a fan of McDonald’s as a child. A cheeseburger Happy Meal with the toy and cookies was the bomb. My folks say I called it Donald’s and announced to everyone in the car that there was a Donald’s nearby once I recognized the Golden Arches. I don’t go there much anymore as they’re not hospitable to vegetarians but I do have a weakness for the Egg McMuffin without the meat and a Diet Coke. That’s a breakfast of champions for any road tripper especially when there’s a gorgeous old sign to enjoy.
If you go, it’s located at 500 East Charles Street, Muncie.
He was born in Daytona Beach and was called Robert Norman Ross. To the world, he will forever be Bob Ross, the mild mannered artist who brought the joy of painting into American households. Literally.
Yes, he’s the guy with the big hair.
His PBS program The Joy of Painting ran from 1983 to 1994 but the show continues to be popular thanks to the magic of the internet and to channels like Pluto and Tubi that offer all 31 seasons of the show in reruns.
He filmed series two through fifteen for the PBS affiliate in Muncie, Indiana in the former home of Lucious Ball. It’s now owned by Minnetrista and it is that organization that operates the museum.
I watched an episode of his show last night where he talked about “distant trees that live far away” and “what a view they would have.” His tone and attitude were charming and his ideas for painting were approachable. He said you begin to see things when you paint and that it needn’t be perfect. “We call them happy accidents and they can be your best friend.”
“I’ve painted like this for twenty years and I still get excited when I see it work,” he said. And I believed him. He seemed genuinely excited about his work.
Perhaps that’s why visitors still come to Muncie from far and wide for a glimpse into his world at the Bob Ross Experience.
Please note that this is not a large museum but what they have is quality. There’s a living room area, a gallery of his paintings and, of course, the tv studio.
It’s all well done but I found the studio enchanting. They have set up a painting on an easel, along with his brushes. If you look into the camera, you’ll see a looping clip of the episode where he painted this piece. As he happily paints, chatting with the viewer, you’re almost certain you might catch a glimpse of him in real life – if only you could look quickly enough.
There was much wisdom to be found in his life philosophies and his words are almost as prominent here as his art.
That should come as no surprise, I suppose. The Cold War era US Air Force Master Sergeant lived a full life before becoming part of the pop culture landscape. He spent free time during his twenty years of military service painting and improving his art. He was a lover of nature and wildlife who sometimes took in injured animals. He was a soft spoken man, very private and seemingly kind. He grew to hate his permed hair but recognized that it was as much a part of his brand as the line of paint supplies he sold. He seemed zen, savvy and wise beyond his years.
There’s something calming about watching Bob Ross bring a blank canvas to life with his wet on wet technique. It’s a little like an episode of Mr Rogers for artistic grown ups when he says “let’s have some fun, let’s get crazy.”
Tragically, the lifelong smoker died of Lymphoma on July 4, 1995. He was just 52.
But he lives on through the countless budding artists he inspired, through the reruns that cause us to marvel at his talent, and through the Bob Ross certified instructors who continue to teach his method.
Admission includes the grounds and public facilities of Minnetrista as well as the Bob Ross Experience. Get info on all that here and check it out if you’re in the area.
I knew I was in for a fun day when my Muncie friend took me to Cammack Station for lunch. This restaurant is exactly the sort of place I would choose for myself.
The building dates to 1931 and has housed multiple businesses including filling stations and grocery stores. In 2007, it was purchased by a man who transformed the space into a restaurant.
It’s basically a shrine to vintage gas and oil, cars and pop culture. The walls and even the ceiling are lined with vintage pieces mixed in with reproductions. TVs play videos of oldies music and it is a happening joint. There were lots of people enjoying lunch and snacks when we were there on Friday.
The menu isn’t easy if you don’t eat meat but the grilled cheese and tots were great. My friend seemed to enjoy his sloppy joes but they also offer burgers, hot dogs, onion rings, soup and lots of other things. The large ice cream counter has all the makings for treats like strawberry shortcake and sundaes.
If you go, know that you order at the long counter where they also serve up ice cream, seat yourself and then pick up at a different counter when they call your name. It’s efficient but it would be confusing if you’ve never been.
They also host car shows during the good weather months. Best of all, they donate car show proceeds to local charities. Check them out if you’re in Muncie. It’s a fun place for a tasty bite and some atmosphere. You can also find them on Facebook or visit their website for more information.
The first stop on this weekend’s Indiana road trip was in Muncie. A guy I went to high school with lives in Muncie now and kindly volunteered to give me a tour of his town.
The beautiful thing about seeing a place with a local is that they know their way around and can answer questions about local life. It was too rainy and cold to spend too much time outside but Justin did a great job showing me around.
Highlights of the day included lunch at Cammack Station which was once a filling station turned into a vintage gas and car themed wonderland. Then there was a visit to Minnetrista which is home to the Bob Ross Experience.
We also made a few stops for some cool photo ops.
Muncie is home to Ball State University. The college was founded by the five Ball brothers, industrialists and philanthropists who you may know for their Ball Canning Jars. They moved their manufacturing from Niagara Falls, New York to Muncie in 1887 during Indiana’s natural gas boom.
The Ball name is all over the city including at Minnetrista, a cultural center on the grounds of the old Ball family homes. All but one of their grand homes along the White River survive and some are open to the public for events and activities.
One was transformed into Bob Ross’ studio when he was filming his PBS program. That’s another story for another day.
The city was once a hub for car manufacturers too. Those good jobs dried up and the plants are long gone, leaving behind acres of industrial wasteland as far as the eye can see. They’re surrounded by a lot of struggling and closed businesses including the neighborhood watering holes where all those workers once gathered.
Still, car culture is alive and well in Muncie. There’s a car dealership, used car lot, auto parts store and mechanic on seemingly every corner. Car shows seem to be a regular occurrence here too.
The city boasts some gorgeous old homes, a lively downtown and plenty of things to do thanks to the university and the efforts of others to bring culture and fun to the community. That’s one of the best qualities of a college town.
I liked Muncie a lot. The mix of old and new is appealing. There are railroad tracks everywhere and opportunity to see trains at all hours. I was excited to see three trains, including one that held up traffic on a main thoroughfare for several minutes Saturday morning.
People here are friendly too. It’s easy to strike up a conversation. They want to know what brought you to town and are happy to help. Here I made friends with a couple in an antique mall and received help from someone at Indiana’s prized restaurant chain Pizza King.
I would absolutely like to return for another weekend when the weather is nicer. The Cardinal Greenway, Indiana’s longest rail trail, is calling my name and I would like to ditch the car for a walk around town. They have a festival in a historic neighborhood every September. That might be a good time for a visit.
Keep checking back. I’ll show you more about Muncie before we move on to the next stop on this road trip.
