Spread out around the museum grounds you’ll find more than a dozen restored signs, entablatures, and stonework salvaged from railroads and railroad stations. Numerous lit signs have been completely restored and are illuminated on evenings when the museum is open for nighttime train operations. Notable signs include:
- The giant Santa Fe sign that once sat atop the Railway Exchange Building overlooking Grant Park in downtown Chicago
- The Illinois Central’s bronze memorial to employees of the railroad who lost their lives during World War II
- Carved stone lions and a goddess’ head, architectural ornamentation from the old LaSalle Street Station in Chicago
- Lit-up signs from electric railways of Chicago including the CTA, North Shore, South Shore, Illinois Central, and CA&E
The museum’s restored signs and entablatures are located at various places around the museum campus. They can be viewed anytime the museum is open.
The restoration of historic signs at IRM is funded through sales in our Historic Sign Shop. Visit the shop online here.