Does it get a sticker about contributing to the climate emergency?
How about the intercity bus from Harvard Square to NYC, which ran briefly until Cambridge shut it down? The lack of a bus stop sign for this service should get a climate emergency sticker as well.
Adam, do you remember a Wicked Good Conference* thread where you put out a call to list flashing signs throughout Boston and readers contributed their favorite? I believe Fontaine’s was the seed of the thread, but the details are hazy for some reason.
(*Footnote: You see, kids, back in the late 90s/early oughts, The Wicked Good Conference was the forum (or bulletin board) of Boston Online, the progenitor of UHub.)
I think we can now classify the Citgo and Shell signs as "art" .
Even Shell would shut that station down in a heartbeat if it wasn't for the iconic sign. They've even said the sign is the only reason why the gas station is there (you'd know them and MicroCenter would flip fast N turning that buillding, gas station, and parking lot into condos so fast..)
They can put that art in storage and use the space for art created by local artists.
Wouldn't it be cool if the Citgo sign was replaced with some unique-to-Boston artwork like on the Greenway? They could even incorporate lights since the wiring is there.
It's iconic art (corporate logo/marketing art, anyway) and much more appealing than the Citgo logo.
Personally, I believe the building just down Memorial Drive from this location should be adorned with a giant neon or color-led representation of an instant camera.
Even Shell would shut that station down in a heartbeat if it wasn't for the iconic sign. They've even said the sign is the only reason why the gas station is there
Reading the Globe story I wonder why you say this?
Look around at lots up and down Memorial Drive. Take away what Harvard, MIT, and DCR (ex-MDC) owns, there's not alot along Memorial Drive that isn't owned by those three. Especially between Mass Ave and Western Ave.
That piece of property is a gold mine waiting for a high rise to go there. Its near all three squares in Cambridge and the Pike. I am very surprised it hasn't been redeveloped yet. Its a single story buildings on a large parking lot. It wouldn't take much for a 4,5,6,7 condo complex to be built there (and still win NIMBY Cambridgeport approval)
I believe the owners spent a lot of money a few years ago to completely refurbish the sign and retrofit it with led bulbs. Before we used to call it the she/he sign because the l’s were out and the S blinked
The linked article also corroborates the comment below that it was originally located across the river on top of the building on Comm. Ave. that is now Boston University Academy. The building is indeed still decorated with a frieze of undersea life, punctuated by scallop shells, although I'm saddened to see that the frieze on the side facing University Road was removed during building renovations just a few years ago. The time-hop feature on Google Streetview shows it as recently as September 2018, but in the most recent views, dated November 2019, it's gone.
When I see the Mem Drive Shell sign, I can't help but think that it's the locus in quo of the escape of that terrified man who was held hostage by the marathon bombing killers.
The famous sign is at Magazine Street. The Tsarnaevs' hijacked car stopped further up Memorial Drive, at another Shell station near CambridgeRiver Street.
I know MicroCenter was built as a Stop & Shop in the 60s. I dont think MicroCenter took over the building until the late 80s or early 90s. (their old interior signage had early 90s era companies)
Comments
Does it get a sticker about
Does it get a sticker about contributing to the climate emergency?
How about the intercity bus from Harvard Square to NYC, which ran briefly until Cambridge shut it down? The lack of a bus stop sign for this service should get a climate emergency sticker as well.
Adam, do you remember...
Adam, do you remember a Wicked Good Conference* thread where you put out a call to list flashing signs throughout Boston and readers contributed their favorite? I believe Fontaine’s was the seed of the thread, but the details are hazy for some reason.
(*Footnote: You see, kids, back in the late 90s/early oughts, The Wicked Good Conference was the forum (or bulletin board) of Boston Online, the progenitor of UHub.)
I know it's advertising but I still miss it
I miss the old Coca Cola sign in Allston.
yup
I was digging online and I always find bostononline links and I giggle.
Shell and Citgo
All hail the shining symbols of our god, OIL!! Photograph them! Marvel at the blinking lights! Become thrall to all that is OIL!!
Soon to be like the ghost signs selling coal
They are bright and shiny and horribly outdated.
Oil is going to fight, but it won't win. Time to leave the dinosaur's composted breakfast in the ground forever more.
Art
I think we can now classify the Citgo and Shell signs as "art" .
Even Shell would shut that station down in a heartbeat if it wasn't for the iconic sign. They've even said the sign is the only reason why the gas station is there (you'd know them and MicroCenter would flip fast N turning that buillding, gas station, and parking lot into condos so fast..)
It's Art. Bad art.
They can put that art in storage and use the space for art created by local artists.
Wouldn't it be cool if the Citgo sign was replaced with some unique-to-Boston artwork like on the Greenway? They could even incorporate lights since the wiring is there.
It's iconic art (corporate
It's iconic art (corporate logo/marketing art, anyway) and much more appealing than the Citgo logo.
Personally, I believe the building just down Memorial Drive from this location should be adorned with a giant neon or color-led representation of an instant camera.
Seems like the owner is still making a buck
Reading the Globe story I wonder why you say this?
Look around
Look around at lots up and down Memorial Drive. Take away what Harvard, MIT, and DCR (ex-MDC) owns, there's not alot along Memorial Drive that isn't owned by those three. Especially between Mass Ave and Western Ave.
That piece of property is a gold mine waiting for a high rise to go there. Its near all three squares in Cambridge and the Pike. I am very surprised it hasn't been redeveloped yet. Its a single story buildings on a large parking lot. It wouldn't take much for a 4,5,6,7 condo complex to be built there (and still win NIMBY Cambridgeport approval)
But that's nothing compared
But that's nothing compared to the value of operating a gas station with river views.
Constructed of downward
Constructed of downward shining LEDs no doubt.
Led yes
I believe the owners spent a lot of money a few years ago to completely refurbish the sign and retrofit it with led bulbs. Before we used to call it the she/he sign because the l’s were out and the S blinked
LEDs, at least
Dunno about downward facing, but yes, it was replaced in 2011 with an LED replica.
The linked article also corroborates the comment below that it was originally located across the river on top of the building on Comm. Ave. that is now Boston University Academy. The building is indeed still decorated with a frieze of undersea life, punctuated by scallop shells, although I'm saddened to see that the frieze on the side facing University Road was removed during building renovations just a few years ago. The time-hop feature on Google Streetview shows it as recently as September 2018, but in the most recent views, dated November 2019, it's gone.
Darn, I guess we won't be seeing the "S" burning out any time so
Many years ago, I'd drive by and see "HELL" in bright red letters. It seemed to take them forever to fix it, too.
Used To Be Across The River
It was mounted on what is now the BU Academy Building, next to the aptly named BU Bridge.
I think there may be Shell motifs on the facade on the Comm. Ave. building.
A different perspective
When I see the Mem Drive Shell sign, I can't help but think that it's the locus in quo of the escape of that terrified man who was held hostage by the marathon bombing killers.
https://www.nytimes.com/2015/03/13/us/jurors-hear-harrowing-account-of-b...
Different Shell station, I think?
The famous sign is at Magazine Street. The Tsarnaevs' hijacked car stopped further up Memorial Drive, at another Shell station near
CambridgeRiver Street.River St.
River St. Shell on memorial drive
Yep, looked at the map too fast
River Street in Cambridge, Cambridge Street across the river in Allston.
Does anyone have a picture of
Does anyone have a picture of the giant Strawberries sign that used to be next to the Shell sign? I've been looking for that for months.
Where was
Where was the strawberries there?
I know MicroCenter was built as a Stop & Shop in the 60s. I dont think MicroCenter took over the building until the late 80s or early 90s. (their old interior signage had early 90s era companies)
Different building
The Strawberries was in the building that currently houses a Starbucks, a massage parlor, and a furniture store.
Yes, exactly.
I thought it turned into a Trader Joe's but it's the building between Trader Joe's and the river.
Trader Joe's used to be a
Trader Joe's used to be a Goodwill/Salvation Army - at least until 1993.
Thats right
Thats right.. I do remember a Strawberries being there when I first moved here in the late 90s.
The Citgo Sign is the younger brother
It was installed in 1940. The Shell sign dates to 1933 (but wasn't moved across the river until 1944).
Has no one mentioned Ellis the Rim Man?!
The man, the legend, let us not forget!