04 June 2012

Tucson's Diving Girl had a facelift ~

Tucson's "Diving Girl" was one of the many neon signs in limbo when signage laws prohibited businesses from restoring a vintage neon sign and re-hanging it (yes, you read that right). Hence, the many rusted neon signs around town advertising businesses that had closed long ago ~ like the Pueblo Hotel. You can scroll back to December 14, 2011 to see the "pre-facelift" version of this beauty. Click here to see what the original sign looked like in all its glory. You'll notice that the current version has her wearing a green polka dot bikini - not the modest white one-piece she originally wore. Interesting!

4 comments:

  1. AMAZING. I went back to your old posting and can't believe the difference! They did a really great job on this sign. It's beautiful. And a real piece of Tucson history.

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  2. How interesting! The sign is wonderful - glad it's still around!

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  3. How wonderful that the diving girl of the 'old' pueblo was saved. I googled "piccarreta davis" and the name seems to be an attorney, I would guess who had purchased the sign, restored it (making a personal choice for biikis!), then uses it as his/her own shingle. It must have been moved from it's original place, but maybe not, do you know??...I have to say that the 'refrigerated' sign of the original would have lured in many a traveler!!

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  4. Hi Elizabeth, I do know that the building is a law office now and I'm guessing the firm did the restoration. Check out this other photo from the installation. Prior to her official debut, the signmakers had her wearing a terry cloth robe!! FUN! Here's the link:
    http://downtowntucson.tucsonnewsnow.com/news/news/80678-diving-girl-will-make-splash-downtown

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