El Rancho Motel Metal & Neon Sign

Double-faced sheetmetal neon sign for El Rancho Motel.

Object Number : 2005.0059.0001

Type : signs/displays

Sub Types : Array

Decade : 1950 - 1959

Object Height : 90-1/4 in. (max)

Object Width : 197-1/4 in.

Object Depth : 19 in.

Object Weight : 1200 lbs. (est.)

Object History :

Sign was built by hand in 1951 at a cost of $1700. Designed by Dean Weller, original owner of the DeSoto, KS motel. Weller sold it in 1980, and the sign was taken down gratis by United Sign Corp., Kansas City, MO in 2005.

City of Origin : DeSoto

State of Origin : Kansas

Status : Exhibit

Location : Exterior of Building

Status Location : Burton Signs

Donor Name : Raj and Nayana Patel

Contact Donor : 1

Date of Execution : 1951

Condition :

Fair: Many layers of peeling paint. Neon is non-existent. Some rust through the sheetmetal.

Restoration Cost : Adopt-A-Sign; additional for maintenance

Restoration Date : 9/20/2006

Restoration Description :

Re-paint sign based on original color scheme. Replace neon, tube supports and transformers with some re-wiring. Additional maintenance has been done on the sign since the original restoration, mostly replacement of transformers.

Maintenance History :

5-18-2012: Neon unit replaced at a cost of $44.00

6-11-2012: Neon unit replaced at a cost of $44.00

7-5-2012: Neon unit replaced at a cost of $96.00

3-10-2023: Neon unit replaced at a cost of $52.50

3-15-2019: Neon unit replaced at a cost of $150.00.
4-27-2013: $22.00

10-22-2016: Troubleshooting neon at a cost of $22.00

4-5-2019: Remake R side of cactus at a cost of $160

10-21-2020: Replace transformer at a cost of $578.15

Deed of Gift Form Received : 7/18/2005

Status Contact Info : Burton Electric Signs/PO Box 1206/Mt. Airy, NC 27030