Editing Pensacola Beach sign

[[Image:PensacolaBeachSign.jpg|thumb|right|The famous Pensacola Beach sign]]
The '''Pensacola Beach sign''' is an iconic [[Gulf Breeze]] landmark that points the way to the [[Bob Sikes Bridge]] and [[Pensacola Beach]]. The colorful, 60s-era sign sits along [[Gulf Breeze Parkway]] and features an orange-, yellow- and green-finned sailfish on both sides. The words "Pensacola Beach" are set in red against a gold starburst, the neon backlights of which are animated at night. The main side of the sign instructs motorists to "turn right" for a "scenic drive east along [[Gulf of Mexico]]" and touts the "World's Whitest Beaches" along with motels and restaurants.

Although located in [[Santa Rosa County]], it is owned and maintained by [[Escambia County]].

==History==
The original sign was commissioned in the late 1950s by the [[Santa Rosa Island Authority]]. It was designed by [[Patricia Born]] of the [[Dodson, Craddock & Born]] advertising agency and built by [[Lamar Advertising]] in [[1960]]. According to Born, the design was intended to give Pensacola a "big town" feel.

Initially erected atop the [[Escambia Motors]] building at the northwest corner of [[Gregory Street]] and [[Palafox]], it pointed the way to the [[Pensacola Bay Bridge]]. The Island Authority had a lease-purchase agreement with Lamar wherein they would pay $350 per month for the first five years and $150 per month for the next five years, after which ownership of the sign would be transferred.<ref>"Art History Lives! Here?" ''Pensacola Bay Magazine'', January 1987.</ref> In January [[1962]], the SRIA board voted to move the sign to [[Gulf Breeze]]. Born later recalled that the sign was moved because "a lot of people visiting Pensacola didn't know … they had to cross two bridges, and some would just keep going (on [[U.S. 98]]) to South Florida."<ref name="ornament">"Pensacola Beach sign turned into ornament." ''Pensacola News Journal'', December 6, 2006.</ref> Lamar agreed to facilitate the move and make adjustments to the wording for an additional $150 per month over one year.

As the gaudy "Populuxe" style of the 1950s and 60s became unfashionable, many residents attempted to have the sign removed, a sentiment that was resisted by [[Jack Cowley]] and others.

More than forty years after its creation, the original metal sign, made up of two 20-foot-long sailfish, had rusted and was replaced in July [[2003]]. One fish was donated to the [[Pensacola Historical Society]], and the other was sold at auction, with proceeds going to the County's [[Budget of Escambia County, Florida|general fund]]. Restaurateur [[McGuire Martin]] held the winning bid of $4,955 and has displayed the fish at his [[Flounder's]] restaurant. "It is a Pensacola icon, and a lot of people have seen it," Martin said. "We wanted to keep it on the beach."<ref>"Flounder's owner reels in Pensacola Beach sign." ''Pensacola News Journal'', November 4, 2003.</ref>

After sustaining heavy damage in [[Hurricane Ivan]] and other storms, the sign was replaced again over the course of 18 months in [[2005]] and [[2006]]. The animated center portion was recreated by [[Plastic Arts Signs of Pensacola]], which won the $135,000 contract in April 2006. It contains miles of wiring and nearly 900 feet of handmade neon tubing.<ref>"Beacon to beach regains its flash." ''Pensacola News Journal'', August 23, 2006.</ref>

==Pensacola icon==
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Since its creation, the Pensacola Beach sign has been featured prominently in marketing materials for Pensacola [[tourism]]. Its likeness has been translated to other media as well:
*''[[Pensacola News Journal]]'' cartoonist [[Andy Marlette]] has incorporated the sailfish into various pieces, including the publication's "[[Best of the Bay]]" logo and an illustration in memorial of [[Blue Angels]] pilot [[Kevin Davis]] (in which the fish is weeping).
*The [[2004]] [[Goodwill Easter Seals]] "Christmas on the Coast" ornament was designed by [[Mitzi Presley-Holt]] to resemble the sign. In [[2006]] [[Jewelers Trade Shop]] created a similar ornament in 14-carat gold and sterling silver.<ref name="ornament"/>
*[[City Art Market]] sold prints of the sign digitally illustrated by by gallery owner [[Larry Paulsen]].<ref>"Everthing Has a Hint of Pensacola." ''Pensacola News Journal'', May 28, 2004.</ref>

==References==
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*Brian P. Rucker. "Pensacola Populuxe." ''Pensacola History Illustrated''. Colume 6, Number 3, Summer 2004.
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[[Category:Landmarks]] [[Category:Outdoor art]] [[Category:Googie architecture]]