Allan
@prfsnlwannabe.bsky.social
Dunno why I bother w/description. Am someone who takes pictures a lot, often focusing on architecture, old signs and old ads, Americana artifacts, and retail related things. And I love old video games. he/him
I AM SO EXCITED to report the sign was fixed, and as of tonight(5/13/25), this Walgreens sign is fully working again.
May 14, 2025 at 6:31 AM
I AM SO EXCITED to report the sign was fixed, and as of tonight(5/13/25), this Walgreens sign is fully working again.
Do you have any idea if this sculpture at Fairlane was done by Buky Schwartz? This was in the court in front of the former Sears.
May 13, 2025 at 5:24 PM
Do you have any idea if this sculpture at Fairlane was done by Buky Schwartz? This was in the court in front of the former Sears.
Two sites I caught last year, while I still could. The pharmacy part of the neon sign at the Wilson/Clark Walgreens no longer comes on at night, and 2nd picture is catching demolition of Ace Animal Hospital barely before building was demolished in Portage Park last year. And while its sign was up
May 13, 2025 at 4:26 PM
Two sites I caught last year, while I still could. The pharmacy part of the neon sign at the Wilson/Clark Walgreens no longer comes on at night, and 2nd picture is catching demolition of Ace Animal Hospital barely before building was demolished in Portage Park last year. And while its sign was up
Several pics I took of the Haderlein Real Estate neon sign. It doesn't come on each night,but I think most nights I've seen it on. Pic 1 I took tonight, and 2 and 3 I took last week. For picture 2, north side of sign(w/Red Hot Ranch behind you) must have had the L and E neon replaced at some point.
April 21, 2025 at 5:31 AM
Several pics I took of the Haderlein Real Estate neon sign. It doesn't come on each night,but I think most nights I've seen it on. Pic 1 I took tonight, and 2 and 3 I took last week. For picture 2, north side of sign(w/Red Hot Ranch behind you) must have had the L and E neon replaced at some point.
I do have to say if you have not seen Secret Mall Apartment, GO SEE IT. It is really good. Pics I took inside the lobby of Music Box Theater. I didn't bother taking an exterior picture, since it was raining too much for my comfort. Maybe I'll try an exterior shot another time.
April 21, 2025 at 5:13 AM
I do have to say if you have not seen Secret Mall Apartment, GO SEE IT. It is really good. Pics I took inside the lobby of Music Box Theater. I didn't bother taking an exterior picture, since it was raining too much for my comfort. Maybe I'll try an exterior shot another time.
Downtown Detroit pictures. I wish I had more time to explore Detroit in March, than I did for that March 2025 trip. Ah well
April 9, 2025 at 9:52 AM
Downtown Detroit pictures. I wish I had more time to explore Detroit in March, than I did for that March 2025 trip. Ah well
Pioneer Zephyr train, at Museum of Science and Industry. I wish Amtrak train seats were as comfortable as these. Also saw the 007: Science exhibit on James Bond stuff, & at some point soon I'll post those pics. This exhibit just closed days ago, so glad I saw it in time
April 9, 2025 at 9:48 AM
Pioneer Zephyr train, at Museum of Science and Industry. I wish Amtrak train seats were as comfortable as these. Also saw the 007: Science exhibit on James Bond stuff, & at some point soon I'll post those pics. This exhibit just closed days ago, so glad I saw it in time
Fairlane Town Center, Dearborn. A Taubman mall that opened in March 1976(& 1 day apart from Lakeside Mall opening day), & still looks original! Unlike certain Taubmans(i.e. Fair Oaks & Woodfield), I'm glad this is still largely unremodeled. A rare Kohan mall to still have good occupancy. #taubman
March 28, 2025 at 11:39 PM
Fairlane Town Center, Dearborn. A Taubman mall that opened in March 1976(& 1 day apart from Lakeside Mall opening day), & still looks original! Unlike certain Taubmans(i.e. Fair Oaks & Woodfield), I'm glad this is still largely unremodeled. A rare Kohan mall to still have good occupancy. #taubman
If you ever have a chance, visit the McDonald's just southwest of the former Lakeside Mall in Sterling Heights, MI. I couldn't believe it was still unremodeled AND had no ordering kiosks inside, in 2025!
March 26, 2025 at 1:18 AM
If you ever have a chance, visit the McDonald's just southwest of the former Lakeside Mall in Sterling Heights, MI. I couldn't believe it was still unremodeled AND had no ordering kiosks inside, in 2025!
This place had something I found surprising: WORKING PAYPHONES. Yes, you read that correctly! I can't remember last time I found working payphones anywhere, till here. If you know where any working payphones exist in US or rest world, post where in the comments. #payphone #payphones
March 4, 2025 at 11:59 AM
This place had something I found surprising: WORKING PAYPHONES. Yes, you read that correctly! I can't remember last time I found working payphones anywhere, till here. If you know where any working payphones exist in US or rest world, post where in the comments. #payphone #payphones
Some more of Union Passenger Terminal, in New Orleans. Just note, the Magnolia Room is the waiting room u can use if u have Amtrak sleeping car reservation. Was bummed CONO wasn't running between Memphis & Carbondale, as I booked sleeper & had cancel(due no MEM to CDL service) and fly back to MDW.
March 4, 2025 at 11:55 AM
Some more of Union Passenger Terminal, in New Orleans. Just note, the Magnolia Room is the waiting room u can use if u have Amtrak sleeping car reservation. Was bummed CONO wasn't running between Memphis & Carbondale, as I booked sleeper & had cancel(due no MEM to CDL service) and fly back to MDW.
New Orleans Union Passenger Terminal, completed in 1954 and still used by Amtrak to this day. I was bummed I wasn't able to take CONO all the way back from New Orleans to Chicago, but hope I get to ride New Orleans to Jackson part eventually. I visited Jackson this past December via CONO train.
March 4, 2025 at 11:47 AM
New Orleans Union Passenger Terminal, completed in 1954 and still used by Amtrak to this day. I was bummed I wasn't able to take CONO all the way back from New Orleans to Chicago, but hope I get to ride New Orleans to Jackson part eventually. I visited Jackson this past December via CONO train.
Railroad underpass icicles strike again in Chicago. I saw this last night, as I was biking on Halsted. This was at Erie and Halsted, before I get a million questions asking me where this was at.....
March 2, 2025 at 9:33 PM
Railroad underpass icicles strike again in Chicago. I saw this last night, as I was biking on Halsted. This was at Erie and Halsted, before I get a million questions asking me where this was at.....
You don't need choose between bright & glassy or dark & moody & neony, as Canal Place offers both in one package. It's anchored by Saks, has mostly upscale shops, food court, offices, & Westin Hotel connected upstairs. DEFINITELY take elevator 5th floor, you'll get great New Orleans views.
February 22, 2025 at 5:16 AM
You don't need choose between bright & glassy or dark & moody & neony, as Canal Place offers both in one package. It's anchored by Saks, has mostly upscale shops, food court, offices, & Westin Hotel connected upstairs. DEFINITELY take elevator 5th floor, you'll get great New Orleans views.
Lafayette Cemetery Number 2, New Orleans. Didn't want to do guided tour see one(St Louis Cem. Nmbr. 1 already doesn't let you enter, unless on guided tour), so I picked one that doesn't require being on a tour. Was good choice, & wasn't overran w/tourists. This cemetery has 3 sections over 3 blocks
February 22, 2025 at 5:05 AM
Lafayette Cemetery Number 2, New Orleans. Didn't want to do guided tour see one(St Louis Cem. Nmbr. 1 already doesn't let you enter, unless on guided tour), so I picked one that doesn't require being on a tour. Was good choice, & wasn't overran w/tourists. This cemetery has 3 sections over 3 blocks
Walgreens and CVS neon signs, both on Canal Street in New Orleans. I unfortunately screwed up and somehow forgot to take CVS neon sign pics during the day, but ah well. Looking forward sharing the NO pics that came out well, from this trip. And still dealing w/my pic backlog from other trips...
February 22, 2025 at 4:47 AM
Walgreens and CVS neon signs, both on Canal Street in New Orleans. I unfortunately screwed up and somehow forgot to take CVS neon sign pics during the day, but ah well. Looking forward sharing the NO pics that came out well, from this trip. And still dealing w/my pic backlog from other trips...
Never visit Summit and other SW side neighborhoods often enough. But coming back from Springfield(IL) recently on train, I got off 1 stop early(Summit) so I could go Weber's Bakery. I should go to southwest side much more often. I realize I like Garfield Ridge, & should explore Brighton Park further
February 20, 2025 at 4:36 AM
Never visit Summit and other SW side neighborhoods often enough. But coming back from Springfield(IL) recently on train, I got off 1 stop early(Summit) so I could go Weber's Bakery. I should go to southwest side much more often. I realize I like Garfield Ridge, & should explore Brighton Park further
Pics I got from the April 2024 solar eclipse, at Reeder Park in Montezuma, IN. I liked its setting on Wabash River, was within 100% totality, plus I worried how congested roads would be if we went nearer Indy. #solareclipse
February 18, 2025 at 8:51 AM
Pics I got from the April 2024 solar eclipse, at Reeder Park in Montezuma, IN. I liked its setting on Wabash River, was within 100% totality, plus I worried how congested roads would be if we went nearer Indy. #solareclipse
In Mattoon, they lowered the track level to be below street level in the early 20th century. Some pics I got of that
February 14, 2025 at 3:51 AM
In Mattoon, they lowered the track level to be below street level in the early 20th century. Some pics I got of that
I think this was the best small town enclosed mall I've seen in a long time. Even has working fountain! Shame Bath and Body Works moved out 1 month after visit nearby strip mall(Dec. 2024, moved in Jan. 2025), as it was nice to see an old look B&BW once again. Cross County Mall, Mattoon, Illinois
February 11, 2025 at 8:18 AM
I think this was the best small town enclosed mall I've seen in a long time. Even has working fountain! Shame Bath and Body Works moved out 1 month after visit nearby strip mall(Dec. 2024, moved in Jan. 2025), as it was nice to see an old look B&BW once again. Cross County Mall, Mattoon, Illinois
A former Blockbuster Video, in Niles, IL. This strip mall space has since been remodeled into a laundromat. I couldn't believe that TV was left on, but it was! #abandoned
February 10, 2025 at 3:38 AM
A former Blockbuster Video, in Niles, IL. This strip mall space has since been remodeled into a laundromat. I couldn't believe that TV was left on, but it was! #abandoned
The photogenic fox sees Christmas. Fox Valley Mall, Aurora, taken 2024. Eventually I'll post much older pics here, down the road....
February 10, 2025 at 3:26 AM
The photogenic fox sees Christmas. Fox Valley Mall, Aurora, taken 2024. Eventually I'll post much older pics here, down the road....
Some more of the former Pillsbury plant, soon to be demolished. As of now, no demolition prep has started on that. #abandoned #springfieldil
February 10, 2025 at 3:16 AM
Some more of the former Pillsbury plant, soon to be demolished. As of now, no demolition prep has started on that. #abandoned #springfieldil
Not sure which pics I should most highlight, since seeing outside this abandoned Pillsbury plant was cool to see. Didn't try go inside, but after looking up pictures I decided to go by. Supposedly it'll be torn down later in 2025, but as now demoltion prep hasn't started. #abandoned #springfieldil
February 10, 2025 at 3:12 AM
Not sure which pics I should most highlight, since seeing outside this abandoned Pillsbury plant was cool to see. Didn't try go inside, but after looking up pictures I decided to go by. Supposedly it'll be torn down later in 2025, but as now demoltion prep hasn't started. #abandoned #springfieldil
Burger King, in Mattoon, IL. This place is NOT affiliated with national Burger King, and BK once went after them in court over the name. Settlement was Mattoon Burger King could keep their name, & national BK chain couldn't build location within 15(?) miles of Mattoon. Food & shake was good, btw.
January 23, 2025 at 4:20 PM
Burger King, in Mattoon, IL. This place is NOT affiliated with national Burger King, and BK once went after them in court over the name. Settlement was Mattoon Burger King could keep their name, & national BK chain couldn't build location within 15(?) miles of Mattoon. Food & shake was good, btw.