Desert Skies Motor Hotel, 1959
File — Multiple Containers
Scope and Content
From the Collection:
The collection contains documentation for signage produced by Zeon Sign Company. Each project consists of a job cost envelope annotated with expenses for materials, labor, overhead, total actual cost, selling price, and profit or loss. Contained within each envelope were all or some of the following:
From the Collection:
- Conditional sales agreement
- Cover letter accompanying contract
- Dun & Bradstreet or other credit check on customer
- Work order
- Time sheets listing last name of workers, dates, hours, categories, cost summaries
- Photographs; either black and white or color polaroid
- Drawings/diagrams/surveys
- City permits
- Miscellaneous scraps of paper
From the Collection:
The majority of Zeon’s work was located in Albuquerque, NM. However, their contracts spread throughout New Mexico (Aztec, Belen, Bloomfield, Chama, Cuba, Crownpoint, Deming, Española, Farmington, Grants, Gallup, Las Vegas, Los Alamos, Los Lunas, Magdalena, Milan, Mountainair, Pojoaque, Raton, Santa Fe, Socorro, Rio Rancho, Shiprock, Tijeras, Tucumcari, Zuni, and points between) and into southwestern Colorado (Durango), Arizona (Chinle, Flagstaff, Ganado, Window Rock), Texas (Amarillo, El Paso, Uvalde), and even a few locations in California
Eddie’s Inferno Cocktail Lounge, Star Florist, Roadrunner Coffee Shop, Paris Shoe Shop, and many other businesses lining mid-twentieth century Route 66 in Albuquerque and the surrounding Southwest contracted with Zeon for their roadside signs. Thus, the collection documents some of the vitality and allure of Route 66.
Airlines, automobile dealers, banks and loan agencies, barber shops and beauty salons, clothing stores, eateries, grocery and convenience stores, motels, and lounges, liquor stores, shoe shops, and theatres exemplify the vast array of clients utilizing the services and expertise of Zeon.
The drawings and job file documentation provide insight into the detail and aesthetics of commercial sign making. Specific tasks, staffing, costs of labor and materials are detailed in the files. The internal and external dialogue is evident in notes, correspondence, and related paperwork. The potential use of this collection crosses many humanities disciplines including art history, community planning, history of the built environment and local history. Restoration of still extant signs along Route 66 is facilitated with access to the original drawings. Additionally the Zeon company records could be used by local communities seeking to recall a vibrant part of their mid-20th century history and identity.
Eddie’s Inferno Cocktail Lounge, Star Florist, Roadrunner Coffee Shop, Paris Shoe Shop, and many other businesses lining mid-twentieth century Route 66 in Albuquerque and the surrounding Southwest contracted with Zeon for their roadside signs. Thus, the collection documents some of the vitality and allure of Route 66.
Airlines, automobile dealers, banks and loan agencies, barber shops and beauty salons, clothing stores, eateries, grocery and convenience stores, motels, and lounges, liquor stores, shoe shops, and theatres exemplify the vast array of clients utilizing the services and expertise of Zeon.
The drawings and job file documentation provide insight into the detail and aesthetics of commercial sign making. Specific tasks, staffing, costs of labor and materials are detailed in the files. The internal and external dialogue is evident in notes, correspondence, and related paperwork. The potential use of this collection crosses many humanities disciplines including art history, community planning, history of the built environment and local history. Restoration of still extant signs along Route 66 is facilitated with access to the original drawings. Additionally the Zeon company records could be used by local communities seeking to recall a vibrant part of their mid-20th century history and identity.
Dates
- 1959
Language of Materials
From the Collection:
English
Access Restrictions
The collection is open for research.
Extent
From the Collection: 25 boxes (25 cu. ft.) plus 30 oversize folders
General
Install Location: Gallup, NM
Oversized Folder: 26
Job Number: AL-2415
Oversized Folder: 26
Job Number: AL-2415
Creator
- From the Collection: Zeon Sign Company (Organization)
Repository Details
Part of the UNM Center for Southwest Research & Special Collections Repository
Contact:
University of New Mexico Center for Southwest Research & Special Collections
University Libraries, MSC05 3020
1 University of New Mexico
Albuquerque NM 87131
505-277-6451
cswrref@unm.edu
University of New Mexico Center for Southwest Research & Special Collections
University Libraries, MSC05 3020
1 University of New Mexico
Albuquerque NM 87131
505-277-6451
cswrref@unm.edu