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Chicago’s Santa Fe sign will be preserved
To put this historic sign into storage for restoration and display at some unknown time in the future would be a travesty and a mistake. Whoever receives the sign should be whomever can do it justice with immediate restoration and display.
Saying the sign should be donated to “whomever can do it justice” is not necessarily a valid argument. Of the organizations listed, IRM is the best place for it from a railway history perspective. The Museum of Science and Industry will tuck it away (most likely indoors) in a backwater display (like they did the Zephyr). The city of Santa Fe isn’t really known as a “railroad town” when compared to the hubs of the midwest (the mainline of the AT&SF didn’t even come near the city limits). The sheer size of the sign will preclude its display in many areas, and I can only guess as to the cost to illuminate it. Further, you have to consider the long-term commitment of the organization. How many railroad historical museums have come and gone over the past 59 years that the IRM has been in existence? How many have stuck to their commitment to restore as many pieces of equipment as possible? It’s nice to know that much of the physical history of the railroads that travelled through northern Illinois (and predominantly Chicago) can be found in one place. It’s unfortunate the old logo wasn’t preserved, but perhaps some day it can be recreated to go with the wording.
No, the entity receiving the sign should be the one that can guarantee that it will be preserved for another 108 years.
While I’m glad the sign will be saved, and agree it needs to be displayed, I think it’s a debacle Motorola can supplant the sign from its historic perch simply because they leased ONE floor in the building.
I’m happy to read that the Santa Fe sign is being saved.
I’m happy to read that the Santa Fe sign is being saved.
Again, is it too difficult and/or expensive to include a picture with these articles?
TRAINS’ Preservation Award
NRHS Heritage Grant Program
Charity Search Engines -
Illinois Railway Museum listed goodsearch.com
Grocery Stores Fundraisers
IRM already has a nice display of official railroad signs (South Shore, etc.) and is the perfect place for this one.
I can appreciate the desire to preserve a great artifact. I can also appreciate the lack of immediately available funds to accomplish this task, such as in a railroad museum setting. But I must agree with Mr. Simons: Donate it to some place that can use it immediately. I hate the thought that this sign could be sitting is some warehouse for who knows how long, while awaiting appropriate funding sources for proper display.
These old signs are works of art that lend a classic beauty to a nighttime cityscape. Plus this one is a reminder of a very important part of Chicago’s history. I hope they will find the money and the place to make a public display for the delight of all.
Would be great if the ILLinois RR Museum would get this but
Like to see it displayed not put in storage.
The sign in its place was a real part of Chicago history.
Motorola shows a serious insensitivy in trying to replace
it and I suggest a boycott to give them a chance to change
their collective “mind.”
I live in Colorado, now, and the skyline of my old city is only in my memories. At least there the Santa Fe sign will always glow.
I am biased, of course, but this is a railroad sign and it should be preserved in a railroad context. As for funding,for immediate use versus storage, I’d rather wait for the right time in the right place than have the historical perspective lost forever. Anyone who considers anything but immediate display as a travesty, let’s see them speak with their wallets