General

Echo Park House of Spirits Neon Sign Preserved by Museum of Neon Art (MONA)

For the last 39 years, the Museum has dedicated itself to educating, preserving, and exhibiting neon, kinetic, and electric art and signage. Our collection contains iconic signage from the Chinese Theatre, Brown Derby, and Circus of Books, among others. The Museum hosts neon tours throughout Los Angeles, offers neon bending classes, and protects and re-lights neon signage

Echo Park, CA. A crew from the Museum of Neon Art (MONA) began removing the House of Spirits signage and transporting it to the nonprofit’s facilities for safekeeping and repair. The need to work quickly became clear after the theft of portions of the House of Spirits sign and escalating threats to the sign, which is attached to a building that was irreparably damaged by fire in December 2018. The sign was donated to the Museum in order to preserve this iconic landmark, however, the Museum intends to return the sign to its neighborhood as soon as a suitable new home can be found for it. MONA is located in Glendale, CA, a little more than 5 miles from where the House of Spirits sign was installed in Echo Park.

(Due to the State of California’s efforts to stop the spread of COVID-19, the Museum of Neon Art is closed until further notice. Meanwhile, you can still enjoy MONA’s free downloadable neighborhood walking guides and family guide.)

For the last 39 years, the Museum has dedicated itself to educating, preserving, and exhibiting neon, kinetic, and electric art and signage.

The collection contains iconic signage from the Chinese Theatre, Brown Derby, and Circus of Books, among others. The Museum hosts neon tours throughout Los Angeles, offers neon bending classes, and protects and re-lights neon signage.

The iconic 1958 Googie-style pole sign and dimensional fascia signage (rooftop sign) that beckoned to thirsty Echo Park residents are one-of-a-kind neon artworks designed by the Mueller Brothers. The idyllic cottage with a pink roof once puffed animated smoke clouds out of its chimney. Though the rooftop sign was placed on site in 1958, MONA has found evidence in the wiring and construction of the sign that the sign may have been repurposed from another business and may date to the 1930’s or 40’s. During this period many sign companies would lease signs to businesses. The Museum also has reason to believe that, originally, the house glowed from the inside with an incandescent bulb.

The sign represents the history of a changing neighborhood and city. The Museum of Neon Art wants to preserve this unique and historically significant sign to share it with future generations and teach about the rich history of Echo Park, its family businesses, and the communities they served. It also wants to pay tribute to the masterful neon artists and designers who created this playful and ingenious display. The Museum is in the process of collecting stories about the business and the community it served because MONA believes these stories are as valuable as the sign that they are connected to. The Museum will share updates with the community about the discoveries we make in the restoration process. MONA will also offer special programming for Echo Park residents while the sign is on our premises.

From MONA:

Frequently, signs like these are abandoned or destroyed when a building is sold. MONA is committed to safely stewarding this sign into a new era so that it can be enjoyed for generations to come. The sign is a complex and fragile work of art that needs special care. We hope that, through collaboration with local neighborhood groups and businesses, MONA can re-light the sign to its former glory. Individuals who have stories or information about this sign, know a business or organization in Echo Park that they believe would be able to safely display and power the sign, or would like to contribute to the cause through fundraising can reach out to the Museum of Neon Art at info@neonmona.org.

If you want more neon in your life, consider visiting our online gift store for custom neon face masks and other treats!

Be sure to follow MONA on Instagram and Facebook for the latest updates. Stay safe, everyone!

Elisa Klein

As the Editor and Publisher of Society Page, it’s my privilege to collaborate with Development Officers in the nonprofit community to honor patrons who make a difference. I’ve been a professional journalist and writer since 1987, (and long-time reporter for KOIN-TV.) I'm a nationally published writer with a passion for the work of nonprofits.