Bea Haverfield’s Seattle: Following the City’s Neon Signs
A comment on one of my videos sent me out on my bike to look at Seattle a little differently. Thoren from the Table 18 Podcast shared some information about Beatrice “Bea” Haverfield, and I wanted to follow up by finding her work around the city.
That turned into a ride to check out signs at Ivar’s, Dick’s, and the Pink Elephant. You can recognize the businesses for years without stopping to ask who designed the things that make them so recognizable.
Meet the artist behind the signs
Haverfield is remembered as Seattle’s “Queen of Neon.” The city’s Elephant Car Wash landmark report documents her work at Campbell Neon and the care involved in preserving her designs. Her work is also associated with the familiar signs of Ivar’s and Dick’s Drive-In.
Once you know her name, the signs become more than backgrounds for a food stop or a photo. Someone chose those curves, letters, and characters. They’re examples of commercial art that became part of how people remember Seattle.
Which Pink Elephant are you looking for?
The old car wash had two elephant signs, so it helps to be specific. Amazon’s Nitro Plaza guide identifies the smaller sign, which it received in 2020 and restored. That is a useful current starting point for finding a Pink Elephant while exploring the downtown area.
Take a moment to look beyond the outline. Notice the lettering, the expression, and the spray of water. It’s a lot of character packed into an advertisement for washing a car.
Older photos don’t always match today’s street
I also went looking for the old Cinerama sign at SIFF Cinema Downtown. On the visit covered in my video, it wasn’t on display. That’s part of the experience of following local history: sometimes you find the thing you came for, and sometimes you find out that the city has changed.
I’d pick a couple of signs near the places you already want to visit, rather than trying to copy an entire bike ride. Leave time to look at the surrounding buildings too. The setting helps tell the story, and a sign can be easy to miss when you’re staring at directions.
Bring your curiosity on the tour
If you like design, local businesses, and the details between the big attractions, tell us when planning your Seattle City Tour. Learning something new and going out to investigate it is one of my favorite ways to find more stories to share with guests.
