The Arrow Neon Sign was built in 1961 by the Neonette Sign Company of New Westminster when this property was opened as the Tomahawk Drive-in Restaurant. The restaurant was later known as Lindy's Burger and in 1990, the business was renamed Lost in the 50's Drive-in. It stands 20-foot tall and is composed of a large double-sided hollow steel panel serpentine arrow mounted on a pole supporting a lexan sign panel measuring approximately 8 feet wide by 4 feet tall. The sign was designed with three illuminated features: a round lamp at the top of the pole, a double-sided rectangular fluorescent sign panel box, and two double-sided rows of orange neon arrows that follow the large serpentine arrow.
The Arrow Neon Sign remains as a rare surviving example of neon sign art in the city and is the only historic neon sign in South Burnaby. The sign has gained prominence over the years as it has been associated with this small iconic drive-in which has also been utilized as a set for film production. Additionally, the drive-in has played a prominent role in the Edmonds community as a popular setting for recent "Show and Shine" participants to park their classic cars.
While the building here is of some importance as the former North Burnaby municipal office, its primary importance is its delightful neon sign that has become a North Burnaby landmark. Helen Arnold opened Helen’s Childrens Wear shop in the building next door to the old Municipal offices in 1948. In 1955, when North Burnaby moved out, she moved into the vacated building. As part of the renovations, Helen enlisted the assistance of her good friend Jimmy Wallace, owner of Vancouver’s Wallace Neon Company, to create a new sign for her expanded business. One of the company’s designers, Reeve Lehman, created the swinging neon girl that was installed in 1956. Designed in two parts, one section of the sign is cloud shaped and reads ‘Helen’s’ while the other section is a moving representation of a little girl on a swing. The sign is nine feet six inches high and nine feet wide, and the lower section is animated with an internal motor and gears. It immediately became a landmark on Hastings Street, and recently the sign’s design fame has spread far and wide as one of the best surviving examples of kinetic neon art in North America.
Photograph of the COVID-19 drive thru testing site in Central Park parking lot in Burnaby. Orange traffic posts and wayfinding signs are set up in the parking lot.
Photograph of the COVID-19 drive thru testing site in Central Park parking lot in Burnaby. Orange traffic posts and wayfinding signs are set up in the parking lot.
Photograph of the COVID-19 drive thru testing site in Central Park parking lot in Burnaby. Orange traffic posts, wayfinding signs and white tents are set up in the parking lot.
Photograph of the COVID-19 drive thru testing site in Central Park parking lot in Burnaby. Orange traffic posts, wayfinding signs and white tents are set up in the parking lot.
Photograph of the COVID-19 drive thru testing site in Central Park parking lot in Burnaby. Orange traffic posts, wayfinding signs and white tents are set up in the parking lot.
Photograph of the COVID-19 drive thru testing site in Central Park parking lot in Burnaby. Orange traffic posts, wayfinding signs and white tents are set up in the parking lot.
Photograph of the COVID-19 drive thru testing site in Central Park parking lot in Burnaby. Orange traffic posts, wayfinding signs and white tents are set up in the parking lot.
Photograph of the COVID-19 drive thru testing site in Central Park parking lot in Burnaby. Orange traffic posts, wayfinding signs and white tents are set up in the parking lot.
Photograph of the COVID-19 drive thru testing site in Central Park parking lot in Burnaby. Orange traffic posts, wayfinding signs and white tents are set up in the parking lot.
Photograph of the COVID-19 drive thru testing site in Central Park parking lot in Burnaby. Orange traffic posts, wayfinding signs and white tents are set up in the parking lot.
Photograph of the COVID-19 drive thru testing site in Central Park parking lot in Burnaby. Orange traffic posts, wayfinding signs, white tents and white buildings converted from shipping containers are set up in the parking lot.
Photograph of the COVID-19 drive thru testing site in Central Park parking lot in Burnaby. Orange traffic posts, wayfinding signs, white tents and white buildings converted from shipping containers are set up in the parking lot.
Photograph of the COVID-19 drive thru testing site in Central Park parking lot in Burnaby. Orange traffic posts, wayfinding signs and white tents are set up in the parking lot.
Photograph of the COVID-19 drive thru testing site in Central Park parking lot in Burnaby. Orange traffic posts, wayfinding signs and white tents are set up in the parking lot.
Photograph of the COVID-19 drive thru testing site in Central Park parking lot in Burnaby. Orange traffic posts, wayfinding signs and white tents are set up in the parking lot.
Photograph of the COVID-19 drive thru testing site in Central Park parking lot in Burnaby. Orange traffic posts, wayfinding signs and white tents are set up in the parking lot.
Photograph of the COVID-19 drive thru testing site in Central Park parking lot in Burnaby. White shipping container buildings have been set up in the parking lot.
Photograph of the COVID-19 drive thru testing site in Central Park parking lot in Burnaby. White shipping container buildings have been set up in the parking lot.
Photograph of the COVID-19 drive thru testing site in Central Park parking lot in Burnaby. White shipping container buildings have been set up in the parking lot.
Photograph of the COVID-19 drive thru testing site in Central Park parking lot in Burnaby. White shipping container buildings have been set up in the parking lot.
Film clip (no sound) of the COVID-19 drive thru testing site in Central Park parking lot in Burnaby. Orange traffic posts, wayfinding signs and white tents are set up in the parking lot and staff are wearing protective face masks.
Film clip (no sound) of the COVID-19 drive thru testing site in Central Park parking lot in Burnaby. Orange traffic posts, wayfinding signs and white tents are set up in the parking lot and staff are wearing protective face masks.
Photograph of portable LED signage at entrance to COVID-19 drive thru test site in Central Park parking lot in Burnaby. LED sign reads "Covid Care Enter Here".
Photograph of portable LED signage at entrance to COVID-19 drive thru test site in Central Park parking lot in Burnaby. LED sign reads "Covid Care Enter Here".
Photograph of portable LED signage at entrance to COVID-19 drive thru testing site in Central Park parking lot in Burnaby. LED sign reads "Mon-Fri / 12-5:45".
Photograph of portable LED signage at entrance to COVID-19 drive thru testing site in Central Park parking lot in Burnaby. LED sign reads "Mon-Fri / 12-5:45".
Photograph of portable LED signage at entrance to COVID-19 drive thru testing site in Central Park parking lot in Burnaby. LED sign reads "Burnaby Corona Virus.Com"
Photograph of portable LED signage at entrance to COVID-19 drive thru testing site in Central Park parking lot in Burnaby. LED sign reads "Burnaby Corona Virus.Com"
Photograph of portable LED signage at entrance to COVID-19 drive thru testing site in Central Park parking lot in Burnaby. LED sign reads "Sat-Sun / 12:30-5:15".
Photograph of portable LED signage at entrance to COVID-19 drive thru testing site in Central Park parking lot in Burnaby. LED sign reads "Sat-Sun / 12:30-5:15".
Photograph of a hand painted sign inside the front store window of the Mountain Gems shop on Hastings Street. The sign includes a heart and reads "Thank you 1st Responders".
Photograph of a hand painted sign inside the front store window of the Mountain Gems shop on Hastings Street. The sign includes a heart and reads "Thank you 1st Responders".
Photograph of Zoey (left) and Johan (right) Makdessi standing behind a handpainted sign with a rainbow and hearts and the words "We miss you Teachers!" The children are standing outside on a lawn next to a sidewalk. Zoey is holding a doll.
Photograph of Zoey (left) and Johan (right) Makdessi standing behind a handpainted sign with a rainbow and hearts and the words "We miss you Teachers!" The children are standing outside on a lawn next to a sidewalk. Zoey is holding a doll.
History
Photograph was taken on April 8 2020 for Taylor Park Elementary School Car Parade. Taylor Park staff with cars gathered at school and then drove through the neighbourhood. The principal Hal Wall organized this because he and his staff want to express their appreciation to parents trying to work from home while teaching their children. He also wanted to have a safe way to say hello and reconnect with students as well as celebrate our community all while maintaining a safe social distance at the height of uncertainty and change of the COVID-19 pandemic.